Funeral services for Diane Wise of Creston and formerly of Jefferson will be held at June 2, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson.
Commissioned lay minister Wendy Pittman will offer words of comfort. Meladee Graven will be soloist, accompanied by Janet Wills.
Casket bearers will be Kelley Miller, Levi Buxton, Seth Wise, Christopher Wise, Kyle Grave and Emmanuel Sang. Interment will be in the Jefferson Municipal Cemetery.
Diane Wise was born May 30, 1951, to Keith Franklin Hendricks and Madeline Stream Hendricks in Carroll. Diane graduated from Jefferson Community High School and married David Ray Wise on October 10, 1969. Together they had two children: Jenna Denise Wise and Aaron Ray Wise. David and Diane enjoyed their years together raising their children, building and maintaining their acreage, and yearly vacations. They worked side by side outdoors until cancer took David in 2002.
Diane worked at Culver Engineering while David was in the service. She finished her work life with the Greene County Farm Service Agency after 28 years. Her coworkers at the FSA office became friends and family.
She served on the Greene County conservation board for 10 years. As the first female on the board, it was a challenge at first, but the men soon realized she was a force not to be taken lightly. She wasn’t afraid to speak up and defend projects or people. Church always played an important part of Diane’s life. She served as a Sunday school teacher, deacon, and elder in the Grand Junction Presbyterian Church. Many laughs were enjoyed doing ice cream socials, Memorial Day dinners, and numerous events. Her church was also her family.
In 2006 Diane donated a kidney to Kelley Miller. It was a memorable moment when she shared the news with Kelley and his mother. What joy that day! Diane then became a volunteer for the Iowa Donor Network and spoke at various events promoting organ donation.
Her goal in life has been to help others in need. When hearing of someone needing help, she worked behind the scenes to do what she could to help. Diane was a driving force behind building the Grand Junction Community Center. Diane was nicknamed “The Pusher”, always pushing everyone to move this project forward. She developed lifelong friendships during the project. Diane received the Greene County Above and Beyond Award in 2017 for her endless hours in helping build the Grand Junction Community Center.
After losing David to cancer in 2002, Diane was alone for many years until she met Randy Buxton.
A second chance at Love! How could she not fall in love with a man that couldn’t find the entrance to a parking lot and forgot to turn off his car for 1-1/2 hours on their first date? Together they shared endless hours of fun and laughter, travel to Colorado, winters in Florida, Arizona, or California. Their love of the pontoon boat kept them on the water and they spent hours boating on the Mississippi River and “The Icarian Sea” playing good old boating tunes and dancing up a storm. At age 70, one summer highlight was being able to water ski again and teaching a neighbor boy to water ski.
Moving to Creston was starting a new life. Randy’s children Janelle and Levi accepted Diane from the start and soon became family. Afraid she wouldn’t have friends, she was surprised how many became friends. She even found a new place to volunteer- the Rectory Rerun. She made many friends there and had a great time helping them.
Her son Aaron was not just a son, but a friend. He was a constant in her life. He was there for her through the good times and bad. No mother could be as proud of a son as Diane was of Aaron. Aaron’s wife Amy became more of a daughter than a daughter-in-law. After Aaron and Amy were married, another wonderful gift was added to life with the birth of Finley Lynn Wise! Finley was just what Grandma needed. Her precious smile, orneriness, and gift of hugs and kisses renewed Diane’s passion for life. The FaceTime calls and photos made every day better. Diane was looking forward to meeting their second child in late June.
Diane died May 28, 2022, in Creston.
Surviving are her children Aaron (Amy) Wise of Madrid and Jenna (Darren) Bishop of Ankeny; significant other Randy Buxton of Creston and his children Janelle and Levi; brothers David Hendricks of Adel and Dennis (Janet) Hendricks of Bagley; brothers-in-law Doug (Amanda) Wise of Omaha, NE, and Dan (Cindy) Wise of Jefferson; other relatives and many, many friends.
Diane’s wish was that she left a mark on the lives of others, added a smile in times of laughter, and been a friend to many. She asked that everyone take time to tell their loved ones that you love them!
In lieu of flowers Diane requested you send flowers to someone you love that will enjoy them in her memory. Services were arranged by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson, 515-386-2171.
