Diane Louise Marker, 81, of Rockford, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at MercyOne North Iowa Hospital in Mason City. Funeral arrangements are with Fullerton Funeral Home.
A visitation will be held on Monday, November 11, 2024 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 805 East Main Avenue, Rockford. A funeral service will be held at church, 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 with visitation starting at 9:30am. Following the service, Diane will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery in Rockford.
Diane was born on February 9, 1943 in Taopi, Minnesota to Warren and Lorna (Carlson) Stern. She attended Rockford schools and graduated from Rockford High School. After graduation, on June 10, 1961, Diane was united in marriage to Lyle (Timm) Leonard Marker at Zion Lutheran Church. The couple resided in Tacoma, WA for 1.5 years while Timm was in the Army until returning to Rockford which became their forever home, and started their family. To their union, three children were born, Leon, Troy and Craig. Diane was the matriarch of her family and took care of everything at home while raising their three sons. She was exceptionally good at organizing and planning everything from Sunday night suppers with pizza, popcorn and a Disney movie to holiday get-togethers at the Rockford Community Center.
In her younger years, Diane worked for H.E. Trettin, vaccinating chickens; but she was most known as the City Clerk of Rockford for 27.5 years until retirement. She was always very good with math and numbers; remembering specific ages and dates which came easily to her.
Diane and Timm had a large network of neighborhood friends and for years Diane loved hosting card nights, costume parties and social gatherings. They regularly attended many firemen’s ball dances at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. She enjoyed playing cards and putting together large puzzles. In her 30’s, Diane was involved in a ladies bowling league in Nora Springs. Up until recently, Diane made sure to get her hair done weekly because it was important to her. Her absolute favorite cartoon character was Tweety Bird. She had many Tweety Bird stuffed animals, figurines and clothing.
Diane was very active serving Zion Lutheran Church as secretary, Sunday school teacher and confirmation teacher. She also knitted prayer shawls for church and community members. Diane knitted many baby hats that were donated to local hospitals and sewed clothing for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Above all else, Diane really loved her family and being a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She made sure to celebrate birthdays and holidays. Diane was proud of her sons for their military service and boasted about it often. She had a mother’s intuition and always knew just when something was going on within her family. The role she played within her family was monumental and her love and legacy will continue on.
Those left to cherish her memory include her sons: Leon (Vicky) Marker of Rockford, Troy Marker of Rockford and Craig Marker of West Concord, MN; grandchildren: Cory Marker, Curtis (Bre) Marker, Garrett Marker, Sadye Marker, Dylan Marker and Calen Marker; great-grandchildren: Justin Marker, Henry Marker, Aria Marker, John Marker, Galilea Marker and Oliver Marker; sister, Leona (Morris) Parcher; brother, Dale (Jan) Stern; many nieces, nephews and other extended family members.
She was greeted into heaven by her husband, Timm Marker; parents, Warren and Lorna Stern and parents-in-law, John and Della Marker.
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