Diann Last

Dorothy Diann Bailey Hettinger Last, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully on July 6, 2025.Born on December 1,1942, in Seymour, Texas, to Ben and Dorothy Bailey, Diann’s zest for life and unwavering faith positively impacted all who knew her.

Having attended seventeen schools in eleven years because her father worked for an oil company, Diann became resilient in the changes life brings. Her first major change was marriage to Ronald Eugene Hettinger at age seventeen. Married for 34 years, they raised four children in Windsor, Colorado. Diann was resourceful on behalf of her family, working many unusual jobs to generate income. She drove a truck during beet and corn harvest, was the head cook at Windsor High School and Skyview Elementary, worked the counter at Frazier’s Drug Store, and cleaned many homes and businesses. 

While investing in her children and their friends, she also endeavored to improve her own life. She earned her GED after her children went to school. She then went to school herself, coming within one semester of earning a teaching degree. In 1993, she graduated from cosmetology school. At the age of 71, Diann retired as a para-professional in the math department at Cheyenne’s East High School in the Laramie County School District. 

Creativity was another of Diann’s attributes. She made wedding cakes, crocheted afghans, learned to make stained-glass art, sewed her children’s clothing, and grew amazing gardens. 

On September 20, 2014, Diann married Howard Irwin Last in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Howard introduced Diann to travel adventures including a trip to Hawaii, a cruise to Alaska, and river trips along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. Howard also toured Diann around his hometown of New York City. They both were active members of the Lion’s Club and worked together with the Boy Scouts. Their dogs–Betty Boop, Blazer, and Rascal–are going to miss being fed by Diann with a tiny fork. 

The most defining element of Diann’s life was her deep faith in Jesus Christ. She raised her children to love the Lord, demonstrating to them a disciple’s diligence through service. She was active at the United Methodist Church in Windsor and was instrumental in establishing the Shared Food Program in Windsor. Attending Bible studies with friends was one of her joys. Diann’s sweet spirit, kind heart, and brilliant smile were evidence of the transformative work she allowed God to do in her soul. His love filled her cup to overflowing. 

Diann was preceded in death by her parents Ben and Dorothy Bailey, her sister Nancy Henkener, and her son Robert Hettinger. Diann is survived by her husband Howard Last, children Trisha(DeWayne)Bateman, Amy Hettinger, Jack Hettinger, Lisa(Lee Moore) Last, and grandchildren Bailey Hettinger, Chelsea (Jonathan) La Cour, Alison Bateman (Jacob Wood), Benjamin Bateman, Patrick Bateman, Sara Last-Moore, Lorelei Last-Moore, and Jadah Karst, her brother Boyd(Libby)Bailey, along with nieces, nephews, and many cousins. 

A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 AM on July 22, 2025,in Cheyenne, Wyoming, at Schrader, Aragon & Jacoby Funeral Home (2222 Russell Avenue).Afterward, a graveside service at Mountain View Memorial Park (101701Yellowstone Road) will be followed by a reception at the funeral home.