Dianne C. Hollenbeck

Dianne C. Hollenbeck, 76, of Carmel, Indiana, passed away on May 28, 2025. She was born on November 2, 1948, in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, to parents, James J. Maples and Marilyn C. (Ploederl) Maples.

Dianne graduated from Lincoln High School in Manitowoc, Wisconsin where she met the love of her life, Kevin, in their math class during her senior year. The couple married in Manitowoc in 1970, beginning a beautiful partnership that would span over five decades. Her thirst for knowledge and passion for technology led her to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and a Master's degree in Computer Science—the latter being a remarkable achievement in a field that was only just beginning to open up to women.

During her professional career, Dianne worked at the Michigan State University Computer Institute for Social Science Research, the University of Wisconsin Army Math Research Center, a consulting firm in the Washington, DC area, MITRE–a research affiliate of MIT, and ultimately at Pfizer as a Quality Assurance Specialist. Along the way, she was also a professor of Computer Science at Otterbein College in Westerville, OH.

Her absolutely favorite job was being a grandma. She spent as much time as possible playing with each of her four grandchildren when they were younger and as much time as possible learning about their interests and pursuits when they became teenagers. She liked being a grandma so much that she and Kevin were “grandma and grandpa” to their puppy, Josie.

Dianne found peace and strength through the practice of yoga. She was a daily participant at Blossom Yoga & Pilates and treasured the friends and community she found there. She was also an avid student of yogic philosophy, having completed her 200- and 300-hour teacher trainings. She was so passionate a student that one of her mentors gave her the yoga name, Saraswati, in honor of the Hindu goddess of learning. Dianne’s yoga practice extended far beyond the studio, leading her on transformative journeys to France, India, and across the United States. Her daughter, Kate, was her travel companion on many of those trips.

Dianne also enjoyed the arts, attending plays at all levels from high school to Broadway. She was proud of the fact that she had seen virtually every play offered during the Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario for the last 40 years. She was fiercely loyal, and that loyalty extended to her favorite sports teams, including the University of Michigan football team and the Green Bay Packers.

Above all, Dianne was a devoted wife, mother, and grandma who treasured her family deeply. She leaves behind her beloved husband of 55 years, Kevin Hollenbeck; her daughters Jessica (Wes Porter) and Kate Kilberg; four adored grandchildren—James, Joey, Elena, and Nate—all of whom brought endless joy to her life; and her faithful companion, Josie.

Dianne was preceded in death by her parents, James and Marilyn Maples; her sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Maples; and other cherished extended family members and close friends.

Her legacy lives on through the love she shared, the barriers she broke in her professional life, and the gentle wisdom she imparted to all who knew her. Dianne's memory will forever be treasured by those whose lives she touched with her thoughtfulness, passion, and unwavering devotion to family.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Flanner Buchanan – Carmel (325 E. Carmel Dr., Carmel, IN 46032) at 1:00 pm on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Family greeting will begin at 12 N. A reception with light refreshments will follow at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to Peace Through Yoga (https://www.peacethroughyoga.org/).