Diane Taylor

Diane Taylor, 67, of West Des Moines passed away August 10, 2016 from respiratory complications. She was surrounded by her family as she fell asleep for the last time.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, August 15, 2016 at 10:00 AM at Saint Francis of Assisi Church, 7075 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines, IA with Fr. Ed Hurley presiding. Visitation will be held at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway on Sunday, August 14 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM with a prayer service beginning at 6:00 PM. Burial will follow the funeral in Geneseo, IL at Oakwood Cemetery.

Diane was born in Rock Island, IL on November 17, 1948. After graduation from Geneseo High School she received a four-year education at Central College in Pella, Iowa. She was united in marriage to Don Taylor on June 13th, 1983 and they were married 33 years.

While being a mom was her life’s work, Diane excelled in social work with challenged children and young adults at institutions in Phoenix, AZ and Tuscaloosa, AL before moving to Iowa with Don in 1983. After her family her greatest love was working with dogs. Any dog that came into her life was truly blessed with her love and care. Diane volunteered at the Animal Rescue League of Des Moines, was the Iowa coordinator for Airedale Terrier Rescue and Adoption for many years, and an active member of the Des Moines Obedience Training Center.

Although Diane was a wonderful mother, she was thrilled to be a grandmother to Kaitlyn. During Kaitlyn’s long summer stays at “Grams House” they enjoyed many adventures around Iowa. Shopping for Katie became Grams favorite pastime. Grams, Grandpa, Erik and Katie loved to travel together and saw the country from coast to coast. Their travels included a trip-of-a-lifetime to Costa Rica to visit her lifelong foreign student Sister-For-Life, Xiomara Vargas (Sisi) and her family.

A love of music began for Diane as a child. Her father taught music in junior high and high school. Diane became an accomplished pianist and was trained on pipe organs. She was also a talented flutist and piccolo player. The piccolo solo in the “Stars and Stripe Forever” was a specialty. Her favorite piece of all time was the “1812 Overture”. Music late into the night was common and welcomed by her family.

To the end of her days she continued the fading art of cursive letter writing. Her letters often ran into a dozen pages and her vibrant prose was happily received by her friends and family. A voracious reader, Diane consumed several dozen books each year.
Throughout all of these things was Diane’s deep and abiding relationship with God. She even argued with God occasionally! Her faith was unshakeable and her spirit communed with God, nature and all people she met.

Diane is survived by her husband, Don; son, Erik; granddaughter, Kaitlyn; brother, Bob Riggle and wife Linda; uncle, Chuck Calhoun and wife Janice; cousin, Karen Balzer and husband Matt (Nick and Erin); aunt, Lois Fowler; cousins, Sue Cranmer and Ben Fowler; Sister-For-Life, Xiomara Vargas (Sisi) from Costa Rica; and a host of friends across the country. Diane was preceded in death by her parents, Don and Ruth Riggle; and uncle, Bob Riggle.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Animal Rescue League. Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at Mercy Hospital for caring for their beloved Diane.

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