Dianna Rae Parker

Dianna Rae (Smith) Parker, aged 77, of Panora, Iowa, passed away peacefully at Panora Specialty Nursing and Rehab on Thursday, August 21, 2025.

She was born the daughter of Harry Loyd Smith and Oma Evelyn (Warren) Smith on September 4, 1947. She grew up in Decatur and attended school in Central Decatur, where she graduated from High School.

On July 15, 1970, she married the love of her life, Robert Richard Parker, Jr., and they made their home in Des Moines. They later moved to Indianola, and then retired in Panora. To this union were two sons, Patrick Alan Parker (Melanie) and Robert (Bob) Loyd Parker (Jenny).

Through the years, she was a stay-at-home mom and housewife and worked several clerical positions doing bookkeeping and insurance work.

Her favorite hobby was playing with and riding horses. She also enjoyed ceramics and scrapbooking. Rick and Dianna raised horses for many years and enjoyed traveling to different trail riding and races where Rick rode as a jockey. She enjoyed making sure the grandkids had bicycles to ride each Spring, school supplies, and playing croquet every Easter with the family.

She is survived by sons, Patrick (Melanie) Parker and Robert (Bob) (Jenny) Parker; grandchildren, Jessica Parker, Brittany Carroll, Lane Parker, and Nicholas Parker; great-grandchildren, Adely, Caden, Kinzer, and Clyde Carroll; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Rick, parents Harry and Oma, and her sister Donna.

Visitation will be held at Hamilton’s Funeral home, 605 Lyon St, Des Moines, IA, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 28, 2025. Burial will take place at 12:30 p.m. immediately following the funeral service at
Iowa Veterans Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Drive, Adel. Memorial can be made to the family.

Family welcomes you to join them for a reception following the burial held at the American Legion Post #403, 910 Main St in VanMeter.

Print