Dianna Rawlins

Dianna Rawlins passed away surrounded by her family on December 20, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. She was 65. Services will be held Wednesday, January 7, at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., with the funeral service to follow at 12 p.m. She will be laid to rest at 3 p.m. in Eddyville, Iowa, at Pleasant Corners Cemetery.

Dianna was born May 17, 1960, in Ames, Iowa, to Donald Lee and Donavee Opal Smith. She graduated from Des Moines Abraham Lincoln High School in 1979. In 1987, Dianna met the love of her life, John David Rawlins Jr. at the Irving Mall in Irving, Texas–it all started when a nervous young man gave a pretty young woman some yellow flowers. They were united in marriage on April 27, 1988, and had four boys they adored: Aaron David, Joshua Daniel, Benjamin Lee and Jacob Nicolas. Dianna and John David had just celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary.

Dianna will be remembered for never wearing the same thing twice and loving something/anything “on sale.” She always looked forward to her relaxation and quality time with her sisters at LV’s Nail Salon, where they would routinely meet. She was funny, full of laughter, very passionate, and had the kindest heart. She loved cooking, keeping secret recipes VERY secret, but always shared her famous chocolate pie during the holidays. Her favorite thing was going to countless ball games and show-choir shows for her children, and her nieces and nephews. Dianna loved being their “Auntie.” She will be especially remembered for her great advice, “You know, I have eyes everywhere” and “even if you don’t right now, still love them more.” She retired from Des Moines Public Schools in 2019 where she started as a crossing guard before becoming a substitute teacher and ending her career as a special education teacher’s aide. Dianna was a devoted woman of God and faithful member of Sunshine Open Bible Church.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband John David, sons Jacob Nicolas, Benjamin Lee, and Aaron David; sisters, Deborah Morris-Hudik, Denise (Randy) Smith, and Darla (David) Wicks; and many nieces and nephews, along with grand-nieces and grand-nephews: Jennifer & David (Colton) Plumb; Donald (Boston & Oliver) Smith; Zack & Tiffany (Madison & Sid) Smith; Tiffany & Gary Davis; Donavee & Brandon (Talan, Braxton & Lincoln) Monahan; Devan (Isaac) Wicks.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Harold and Zelma (Lyons) Isenberger; her beloved son, Joshua Daniel Rawlins; mother-in-law, Lavenia Agnes Rawlins; and her parents, Donald Lee and Donavee Opal Smith.

Memorial gifts may be made to The Rawlins Family

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