Diann Knobel

Diann Carol Knobel, 72, of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away on July 29, 2024. Diann was born on November 26, 1951, in North Platte, Nebraska, to John and Marialyse (Hager) Knobel. She grew up in North Platte, graduating from North Platte High School in 1970. The Knobel family loved Halloween. Each year, John built a haunted house on a wagon; the three girls would dress as witches and the three boys as ghosts for the Halloween parade. The kids each won a silver dollar for their entry.

After high school, Diann attended Kearney State College earning a bachelor of arts degree in 1975. She later attended Chadron State College where she earned a master of science in education degree in 1995. On May 1, 2004, Diann married David “Doc” Fairey at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. They drove through the tunnel of love in their 1996 Impala SS.

Diann was a gifted teacher for children and adults throughout her 41 year education career. She was a teacher at Cody, Jefferson and Lincoln schools in North Platte where she taught kindergarten, second grade and computer skills. In Las Vegas, she taught kindergarten at Doris Reed Elementary and she was an administrator and taught adult education at Desert Rose Adult School. Diann also taught for several years in various schools in Oregon.

Diann was a talented quilter, embroiderer and cross-stitcher. She volunteered her time to make quilts for veterans and the homeless and gifted many of her creations to her family and friends. Always a teacher, Diann was happy to share her skills with the next generation and inspired several nieces to take up similar hobbies.
She was an active member in the Red Hat Society and enjoyed their coffee and bagel mornings, potlucks, plays and parties. Her family extends a special thank you to these wonderful women who brought so much laughter and companionship to her life.

To her family, Diann will be remembered as a willing volunteer for any home painting projects, the maker of the best apple pies, a connoisseur of an icy margarita, a lover of fine cinema, including Dirty Dancing and Practical Magic, an exuberant holiday decorator, and a gifter of the most decadent homemade fudge.

Diann is survived by her husband, David "Doc" Fairey of Las Vegas, and his children Ashley Fairey and Paul Fairey. She is also survived by her siblings Jane (Richard) Flower, Bryan (Marcia) Knobel, Mary Lou (Jon) Altig and Tom (Shelly) Knobel.

Diann was a most beloved and dedicated auntie to her 10 nieces and nephews, numerous great nieces and nephews, and a great-great niece and nephew, including a very special niece, Miechelle (Scott) McKelvey of Kearney, NE, who was by her side when she died. She was preceded in death by her parents John and Marialyse Knobel, and a brother and sister-in-law, Mark (Josephine) Knobel.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 7, with service beginning 2-4 p.m. at Bunkers Funeral Home in the Eden Vale Mortuary at 925 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Join us after services for fellowship and a meal.

Inurnment will be held on Thursday, August 8, at 10 a.m. at Memory Gardens Cemetery, 7251 West Lone Mountain Road in Las Vegas.

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