Obituary of Diana Sue Swihart

Diana Sue Swihart, daughter of Kletis and Dorothy (Mason) Lenz, was born April 29, 1951 in Cherokee, Iowa.

She graduated from Aurelia Senior High School with the class of 1969. After high school, she attended Estherville Community College from 1969 to 1971 and went on to graduate from the University of Northern Iowa in 1973, with a bachelors degree in Education.

Diana married Greg Swihart in 1993, in Newton, Iowa. She worked as a Language Arts and At-Risk teacher in the Newton Community School District for 25 years before retiring in 2013.

Diana was happiest when celebrating holidays and special events with family. She was a free spirit who enjoyed meditation and reflected herself through her beautiful artwork. She was a devout Iowa Hawkeye fan. She was a member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. She was also active in politics and volunteered with the South Skunk Blues Society.

Diana passed away June 29th, 2024, at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. She was 73 years old. Diana was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Greg Swihart.

Those left to honor Diana’s memory, include her daughters Peggy (Ty) Jorgenson; Carrie (Jim) Evans; Alicia Kaldenberg; her nine grandchildren (Lukas Kacer, Tabor Jorgenson, Corinne Jorgenson, Mariah Kacer, Reyna Jorgenson, Katie Evans, Avery Evans, Audrey Kaldenberg, and Adelyn Kaldenberg); her brothers Robert Lenz and Tom Lenz; her sister, Donna (Randy) Moore; and her four nephews.

A visitation with family will be held on Friday, July 12th from 4:00 - 6:00 pm at Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton, Iowa. A Memorial service will be held after the visitation, at 6:00 pm at the funeral home. Following the service there will be a celebration of life at the American Legion Post #111 in Newton starting at 7:30 pm.  Memorials may be designated in Diana's name to Jasper County Ride and may be left at the funeral home.