Diane L. Blomgren

Diane L Blomgren, age 81, passed away on July 5, 2023 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. After eight days in the hospital fighting an uphill battle to recover – she succumbed to the realities of her fragile body and we lost our beloved friend to complications of COPD and heart failure. She left this earth holding hands with and feeling very loved by her two closest friends.

Diane was born on July 19, 1941 to parents Ralph and Louise Blomgren. She had a wonderful childhood growing up in Britt, Iowa and counted herself very fortunate to have been brought up in a time when kids could play and explore the world outside with total abandon until the sun went down (and without the need for parents to worry as they do today…) She was very close to her younger sister Susan. Diane often made the trek to Milwaukee where Susan lived – and the two of them loved to shop until they dropped. They both loved expensive things – so they were each other’s worst enemy when it came time to pay their credit card bills. Susan was her travel companion and confidant until Susan tragically died in 2005. Diane was devastated when Susan died and always felt as if a huge piece of her heart was missing.

After graduating from high school, she attended Grandview University and Simpson College earning a Bachelor Degree in Education and her teaching certificate. Diane had no children of her own. Instead, she shared in the lives of the numerous children she taught throughout her 25-year career at East Elementary School in Ankeny. She loved her students and fellow teachers and kept in touch with many of them throughout her life.

Besides teaching, Diane became a proficient bartender after working part time at Denny Arthur’s in Des Moines. Her love of luxurious home furnishings landed her a part time job working for Don and JoAnn Huss at Word of Mouth from 2004 to 2013. She relished being amidst all of the lovely furniture and decorative accessories that surrounded her in the stores. She curated quite a collection of furnishings for her own home while working there.

Diane was a dog person. An over the top kind of dog person. She first fell in love with her sister Susan’s dog, Cody. Then a petite fluffy white Maltese came into her life and Diane named her Lily. Lily was elegant just like Diane and went EVERYWHERE Diane went. Lily lived to be 12 years old and again Diane was devastated when Lily crossed the rainbow bridge. Not long after, Diane went to Nebraska, brought home another Maltese and promptly nicknamed her Cozy. Like Diane, Cozy was independent as all get out. She not only went EVERYWHERE that Diane went, she invited herself into anyone’s home in the neighborhood with or without Diane. Everyone in the Bridgewood neighborhood fell in love with Cozy and Cozy loved them back! Cozy adored accompanying Diane on visits to retail stores, hair salons, and even the vet clinic. Cozy was the best dressed dog in the city – with a different outfit and collar for every occasion and holiday. Cozy never failed to be the center of attention anywhere she went, making Diane absolutely delighted and proud to be Cozy’s Mom. The world stopped when Cozy became ill and passed away in May. Perhaps this was a blessing to Diane – knowing her beloved pet had not outlived her. We would like to make a special mention of Cozy’s beloved caretaker, Rinda Kramme, who took Diane’s beloved Maltese in as her own when Diane could no longer take care of her. Rinda loved Cozy and Cozy loved her back.

Gardening, scenic drives, lake life, horses (and cowboys), and nature were all things that Diane loved. She was obsessed with Birkenstocks! She was incredibly engaging, charming, quirky, and possessed a dry quick wit. Her humor was always spot on. There were never awkward silent moments when you were around Diane as she never lacked something to talk or reminisce about. She was especially proud to be a charter member of the Des Moines area Beaver Believers Society – a group formed for the purpose of promoting respect for the often overlooked, but noteworthy role of a weird, yet wonderful rodent in society.

Diane is survived by close friends and kindred spirits, Kristin Mease and Dawn Manders; second cousins, Robin Bradford (Jim) of Austin, Texas and Tim Bradford (Tamara) of Jones, Oklahoma; beloved Bridgewood and WestPark neighbors; and a throng of other much-loved friends spread throughout Iowa and beyond.

Per Diane’s wishes, there will not be a funeral. Instead, a celebration of her life will be held Sunday, August 6, 2023 from 2-5 p.m. at the Bridgewood Clubhouse, Unit 16, 7610 Wistful Vista Drive in West Des Moines, IA. Diane expressed her desire for everyone to dress casually – preferably in cheerful, happy colors. We encourage anyone who is so inclined, to bring a memory or story to share. Someone will be available to read your memory or story for you if you would rather not speak yourself.

Memorial contributions can be made to AHeinz 57 Pet Rescue or the ARL in loving memory of Diane. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

We would like to thank the extraordinary CCU team at Iowa Methodist Medical Center who provided Diane with such tenderness and gentle care during her time in the hospital. A special hug goes out to nurses Margaret P., Elizabeth M., Brooke M., Rachel D., and to Dr. Tchakounte who guided, hugged and supported us through some very difficult, sad moments and final goodbyes.

Print