Diamond Dufenhorst
May 26, 1945 – August 11, 2023
Diamond Dufenhorst passed away on August 11, 2023 at her home in Eagle, Idaho, with her husband, Dennis, by her side. She was seventy-eight.
She was born May 26, 1945 in Missoula, Montana, and was the youngest of four children born to Angeliki (Kiki) and Constantine (Gust) Datsopoulos. Her father immigrated from Greece as a teenager and worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad. Once he became established, he returned to Greece, married, and brought his new wife back to the United States.
Raised by Greek parents, Diamond and her siblings spoke Greek at home, learning to speak English through friends and in school. In her early years, the family resided across the street from the railroad yards in Missoula, so her father could walk to work. While in grade school, Diamond took piano lessons, which led to completing a four-year course in 1957, as well as a teacher’s course a year later.
During her younger years, she loved the times her family would take the train to Salt lake City to visit her aunt. She also enjoyed visits to her uncle’s farm on the outskirts of Missoula and treasured the special times when her dad would take her to get a Dairy Queen treat.
Diamond graduated from Missoula Central High School in 1963, where she participated in cheerleading and track events. Following a brief stint in college and working retail, she married Paul Simitzes and moved to Butte, Montana. She enjoyed motherhood and spending time with her children, Angela and George.
Diamond married Dennis Dufenhorst in 1979 and moved to Boise, Idaho. She worked in retail jewelry sales and loved to visit and interact with customers. She was always tickled when customers were surprised to find out her real name was “Diamond,” and not just a made-up moniker since she worked in the jewelry department. She also volunteered at the Red Cross.
Once her son had children, Diamond took it upon herself to take care of her grandchildren, Deano and Kali, on a daily basis while their parents worked.
She enjoyed bowling, snow and water skiing, and spending time at the family condo in McCall. A slot machine fanatic, she adored her trips to Jackpot and Wendover with her friends. And, being a huge animal lover, it wasn’t uncommon to find her spending time holding “conversations” with her daughter’s horses and the family dog.
Diamond liked foreign traveling. She visited Greece and her relatives there three times. She also explored other parts of Europe: Italy, Austria, Germany, Spain, France, and Portugal. She was a fan of cruises to Alaska (her favorite cruise, despite the cold), the Panama Canal, and the Baltic Sea because of the sights, as well as the fact she could play the slot machines aboard the ship for hours. A surprise encounter was meeting Roy Rogers at a stop at his museum in Apple Valley many years ago. A more recent road trip to the southeast afforded a visit to Nashville and her childhood idol Elvis Presley’s grounds and museum at Graceland.
Diamond was a people person and thrived on talking with family and friends. She had a unique ability to bring a smile and laugh to everyone lucky enough to interact with her. She also wasn’t shy in expressing her thoughts and feelings, regardless of what people thought. “Oh, My Stars!” she will forever be missed.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Milton Datsopoulos. She is survived by her husband, Dennis, her children; Angela (Dean) Taylor, Middleton, ID, and George Simitzes, Star, Idaho, stepchildren David (Michelle) Dufenhorst, Orondo, Washington, and Devin Dufenhorst, Hayden Lake, Idaho, six grandchildren and her brother John (Kathy) Datsopoulos, Missoula, Montana and sister Demetra (George) Avgeris, Yorba Linda, California.
A Trisagion Service will be held on Monday, August 21, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at Bowman Funeral Chapel, 10254 W Carlton Bay Dr, Garden City, Idaho (www.bowmanfuneral.com) The funeral service will take place on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2618 W. Bannock St., Boise, Idaho. Internment will be immediately following the service at Dry Creek Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2618 W Bannock St., Boise, Idaho, 83702 or St. Luke’s Health Foundation, 190 E Bannock St., Boise Idaho 83712. (designate Hospice – Diamond Dufenhorst).