Diana Bienkowski

Diana was born to Gene and Peggy Bartley July 8, 1951, in Red Cloud Nebraska. She was the 2nd of 6 children and is survived by: her son, Walter (Bo) Charles Bienkowski IV (Amanda); granddaughter, Diantha; and siblings, Larry Bartley (Jacki), Barbara Bartley Dodge, Kathleen Bartley, Danny Bartley (Ginger).
At the age of 9 Diana’s family moved from Red Cloud to Colorado Springs, where she attended Wasson High School. She excelled in gymnastics, was a member of the cheerleading team and was Homecoming Queen. Upon graduating, she enrolled at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, where she competed with their gymnastics team.
She moved to Hastings in 1972, where she would meet Walter C (Butch) Bienkowski III…they worked together at the Garden, which was a popular nightclub and restaurant that brought in big-time musical acts from all over the country. They went on to marry, and in 1977 they would open the 2nd Street Slammer, which served Hastings residents and customers across the midwest for nearly half a century.
To their union was born a son, Walter (Bo) Charles Bienkowski IV…he was the joy of her life. She loved watching him grow and compete in various sports with the many friends they made along the way. Nothing made her happier than going to Bo’s games, and the bond they shared, both during those early days full of school and sports, and more recent times working on projects and renovations together, was incredibly meaningful for each of them.
Diana had a special talent as an artist, and her love for painting showed up at an early age. She studied art at Hastings College and enjoyed spending a great deal of time going to workshops, as well as perfecting her craft at home. She painted everything from portraits to landscapes and did countless commissions for friends and acquaintances. She was officially licensed with the University of Nebraska Football, and her work hangs in the homes of many fans and collectors across the US.
Diana was never happier than when she was spending time with her granddaughter, Diantha.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Butch; her sister, Jackie Overman, and her Parents, Gene and Peggy Bartley.
A Celebration of Life will be from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the Jackson Dinsdale Art Center on the Hastings College campus. DeWitt Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting her family with arrangements.
Memorials may be directed to her family for a later designation.