Diane J. (Valencik) Reksten

Diane Jean Marie Reksten, age 66, of Hockessin, DE, passed away on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.

She was born in Queens, NY, daughter of the late Julie and Charles L. Valencik. She was a graduate of the University of Delaware, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in home economics. Diane went on to enjoy a 30-plus year career as home economics teacher at St. Mark’s High School in Wilmington, DE. She authored a textbook on interior design that the school used in the curriculum; and she took great pride in the impact she had on her students’ lives, as some went on to become successful chefs and restauranteurs.

In her free time, she enjoyed cooking and explaining the process to family and friends with great detail. She also enjoyed golfing and traveling with her husband, Harald.

Diane will be lovingly remembered for embracing the various challenges in her life with courage and dignity; she did not let these obstacles define her.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Harald Reksten; her siblings, Charles Valencik (Paula), Mark Valencik (Kim) and Janet Valencik; several nieces, nephews and members of her extended family and close friends.

In addition to her parents, Diane is preceded in death by her sister, Karen Valencik.

Family and friends are invited to visit from 10:00am – 11:30am on Monday, November 5, 2018 at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE 19808. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:00pm at St. John the Beloved Church, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington, DE 19808. Entombment will take place in All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Diane’s memory can be made to Planned Pethood International, 4170 Tennyson St., Denver, CO 80212, or via: plannedpethoodintl.com/donate/.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Diane J. (Valencik) Reksten, please visit our floral store.