Elvira Diane Cankar

Elvira Diane Cankar (nee Tahtinen), 82 of Kenosha, WI, formerly of Winthrop Harbor, IL, died Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at home. She was born on March 3, 1943 to Nels and Ellen (Helin) Tahtinen in Ontonagon, MI and graduated from Trout Creek High School in Trout Creek, MI.

Diane married the love of her life Douglas J. Cankar on March 26, 1966 in Waukegan, IL, and they celebrated almost 51 years before Douglas passed away in March of 2017. Diane worked at Abbott Laboratories, Bickett Pharmacy, and Swank Insurance along with being a homemaker for her family. She was a current member at Crossway Community Church in Bristol, WI, but was a former member at Lakeview Church in Zion, IL for many years where she was involved in choir, was an Awana Leader, Nursery Director and her favorite position was Youth Sponsor where many of the youth cherished her as a second mom. Doug and Diane’s door and pantry were always open to the youth group kids. Diane’s most precious job was being Nana to her own grandkids and many more who claimed her as their Nana. Besides being Nana to many, her other passion was Legos. She was known for the many sets that she owned and displayed in her home throughout the years. She loved to quilt, cross-stitch stockings for those she loved, and attend her weekly Bible study with her friends.

Survivors include her children Denise (Christopher) Olson, Dana (David) Martin, and Donald Cankar; grandchildren Jordan Olson, Alyssa Olson, Zachary Olson, Seth Martin, Reagan Martin, Kayla (James) DesVoignes, Wesley (Chelsea) Burgmeier, Haley (Jordan) Crawford; great-grandchildren Georgia, Cora, Parker, Lincoln, Payton, Adeline and baby Crawford due June 2026; sister Eva (Wayne) Lundstrom, sister-in-law Anita (Alan) Peebles, brother-in-law Michael Braun, nieces and nephews; and special friends Gene and Kaye Anthony, Todd and Kelly Burgmeier, and Susan Montgomery. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Nels and Ellen Tahtinen, brothers Roy (Nora) Tahtinen and Donald (Dawn) Tahtinen, nephew Dean Tahtinen, niece Kellie Tahtinen, in- laws John and Estelle Cankar and sister-in-law’s Kay (Richard) Ohlson and Connie Braun.

 A celebration of life will take place on Friday December 5, 2025 at 7:00 pm at Nueva Vida (formerly Lakeview Church), 1821 Sheridan Road, Zion IL. Friends may greet the family from 5:00 pm until the time of service at the church. Interment will be private for the Family. 

Memorial donations in Diane’s name can be made to Cory’s Project, 2700 4th Avenue, Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096 or Crossway Community Church, 13905  75th Street, Bristol, WI 53104.