Diane Wise

Diane Wise, 70, of Creston, formerly of Jefferson, Iowa, passed away May 28, 2022. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, June 2, with friends invited to visit with the family prior to the service, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson. Interment will be in Jefferson Cemetery.

Diane Wise was born May 30, 1951, to Keith Franklin and Madeline Stream Hendricks in Carroll, Iowa. Diane graduated from Jefferson Community High School and married David Ray Wise on Oct. 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 a 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 was to help others in need. When hearing of someone needing help she worked behind the scenes to do what she could. Diane was a driving force behind building the Grand Junction Community Center. Diane was nicknamed “The Pusher”, always pushing everyone to move the project forward. She developed lifelong friendships during the project. Diane received the Greene County Above and Beyond Award in 2017, for her endless hours 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 you 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, traveling to Colorado, wintering in Florida, Arizona or California. Their love of the pontoon boat kept them on the water and they spent countless hours boating on the Mississippi River. “The Icarian Sea” was always playing good old boating tunes and they danced up a storm. At age 70, a summer highlight for Diane, 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. Once afraid she wouldn’t have friends, she was surprised how many friends she easily made. She even found a new place to volunteer: the Rectory Rerun, where she made many friends and had a great time helping.

Her son, Aaron Wise, was not just her son but a friend. He has been a constant in her life. Sharing each other’s lives, he has been 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, the birth of Finley Lynn Wise. Finley was just what grandma needed. Her precious smile, orneriness and gift of hugs and kisses was renewed with 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.

Surviving are her children: Aaron (Amy) Wise of Madrid, Iowa, and Jenna (Darren) Bishop of Ankeny, Iowa; significant other, Randy Buxton of Creston, and his children, Janelle and Levi; brothers: David Hendricks of Adel and Dennis (Janet) Hendricks of Bagley, Iowa; brothers-in-law: Doug (Amanda) Wise of Omaha, Nebraska, and Dan (Cindy) Wise of Jefferson, Iowa; other relatives and many, many friends.

Diane’s one wish is that she has left a mark on the lives of others. Added a smile in times of laughter and been a friend to many. She asks that you all take time to tell your 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 www.sliningerschroeder.com