Dionysia "Diane" Magdalena Boley

Dionysia “Diane” Magdalena Boley (Childree) (September 29, 1943 – December 24, 2025)

Dionysia “Diane” Magdalena Boley, 82, of Three Forks, Montana, passed away peacefully at her home on December 24, 2025.

Diane was born in Rugby, North Dakota, on September 29, 1943, to Philip and Lena (Holzer) Leismeister. She was the second of four children in the family.

As a young woman, Diane moved to Chicago in 1962, where she encountered Gustavo Cruz, an adventurous and free-spirited Puerto Rican man. Soon after, she became pregnant with their son, Christopher “Dion” Schiefelbein, who was born in February 1963 in Polson, Montana.

During her time in Missoula, Diane worked as a stewardess, a role that gave her the opportunity to fly aboard the Miss Montana Plane. She was thrilled when the plane was restored, and she eagerly shared her story with the Three Forks paper, sending copies to all her relatives.

In 1963, Diane met Ken Schiefelbein, and they moved to Havre, Montana, where Diane worked at various local shelters and took on a number of jobs. After parting ways with Ken, Diane raised Dion as a single mother, staying deeply involved in his life and their community. She was known for dressing as Uncle Remus for events and volunteering at soup kitchens.

In 1975, Diane embarked on an adventurous cross-country journey with Dion. They visited national landmarks, made new friends through CB radio, and after running out of money in Vermont, Diane sold Electrolux vacuums door-to-door to fund their return to Montana.

Back in Montana, Diane met the love of her life, Raymond Childree. Ray welcomed Diane and Dion into his family, and they married in 1976. Ray owned Ray’s Upholstery/Childree Manufacturing, and she helped him. They enjoyed many memories, including motorcycle trips across the lower 48, Alaska, and Canada. Ray’s passing from cancer in January 1990 left Diane heartbroken, but she continued to embrace life’s challenges.

Determined not to be held back by fear, Diane went skydiving for the first time on her 48th birthday. She later faced her fear of water by becoming a certified scuba diver at the YMCA in Havre. She found joy in exploring the ocean, swimming with dolphins and turtles, and even painting sea life as a reminder of those treasured experiences.

In December 1996, Diane married William Boley, a counselor who shared her love of scuba diving. They married in the Cayman Islands, where William’s son, Lance, lives. Upon returning to Montana, Diane pursued her Master’s in Counseling Education, graduating in 1998. Together, Diane and William started Boley Counseling Services, where Diane worked with children, using art therapy to help them overcome fears and trauma.

In 2008, Diane suffered her fourth stroke, which led her to retire from counseling. Despite the doctor’s prognosis, she fought tirelessly through rehabilitation and regained many abilities, including walking, speaking, painting, and driving her beloved blue golf cart around Three Forks. She spent her days painting, attending church, enjoying coffee with friends, and cherishing time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents, Philip and Lena Leismeister, and her beloved husband, Raymond Childree. She is survived by her siblings, Philip Leismeister, Ellaine Nelson, and Leon Leismeister; her son, Christopher “Dion” Schiefelbein; her grandchildren, Tyree Schiefelbein (Zach Rowland) and Jeremy Schiefelbein (Summer Whitman); and her great-grandchildren, Ashla Melvin and Levi Rowland.

A vigil will be held on January 1, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Three Forks, MT. A service and mass will take place on January 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a celebration of life to share stories and memories. Diane will be laid to rest with her husband, Ray Childree, at Highland Cemetery in Havre, MT, on January 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local Catholic Church, or consider planting a tree to honor Diane's love of nature.