Obituary of Diane Hemphill Guthrie

The daughter of Keith and Mary Hemphill, Diane was born on July 5, 1960. She graduated from Milford High School in 1978, where she was actively involved in athletics and 4-H. Throughout her life, Diane also loved the outdoors. She was an avid horseback rider and also enjoyed boating, running and biking around the Lakes. Diane spent most of her life in the Lakes area. After graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in political science, she returned to the area and worked at StyleCraft and Cycle Country. Diane made a career change five years ago and became a registered nurse. She worked at the Lakes Regional Health Care and at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Diane also enjoyed helping out at the Wharf. Among Diane's many accomplishments during her life, she completed the Twin Cities, Chicago and New York City Marathons. Diane created beautiful quilts and blankets for many family members and friends and she was actively involved in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, including Catholic Daughters and teaching religious education. Diane was a proud, loving mother to her children, Holly, Jenny and Joel. She recently helped Holly and Jenny settle in Iowa City, where they both work. She enjoyed spending time with them in Iowa City, attending Hawkeye football games and being "Momma-D" to Holly's and Jenny's many friends and roommates. Diane also loved watching her son, Joel, wrestle and play soccer for Okoboji High School and encouraging him to continue developing his artistic talents. Diane and Jerry Kurth recently purchased a new home at the South Shore Estates. Diane could often be spotted walking (or sometimes chasing) their dogs through the neighborhood, and became a regular visitor at the Humane Society. Diane touched many, many lives. She was our family "planner", always organizing activities, projects and celebrations, taking pictures and making us all laugh. She was a role model and inspiration to her nieces and nephews and a loving playmate to her great-niece and nephew. Diane was a kind and generous neighbor to many people, helping a number of elderly people in the community with their day-to-day needs and always willing to help friends through difficult times. Diane had a sparkle in her eye and a spirit for life that will live on in the loving memory of her children, Holly, Jenny and Joel; partner, Jerry Kurth; father, Keith Hemphill; brothers and sister, Tim & Linda Hemphill, Ray and Donna Hemphill, Mary (Tootie) & Tim Stellmach; nieces and nephews, Jill and Jeff Hemphill, Matt and Lindsay Hemphill, Allison, Stephanie and Samantha Stellmach, and great-niece and nephew, Addilyn Larsen and Koa Hemphill; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and neighbors. Diane was preceded in death by her mother, Mary. May her memory be eternal.