EMMETSBURG — Diane Ruth Manwarren, 70, of Emmetsburg, died peacefully Saturday, September 5, 2026, at her home surrounded by family.
A come-and-go visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, September 11, at Geelan Funeral Home, 403 11th St. SE, Spencer. A private family interment will be held later at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Emmetsburg.
Diane was born November 7, 1955, in Westbrook, Minnesota, the daughter of Cletus and Shirley Carlsen Marks. She grew up as a member of Wykoff Methodist Church and graduated from Wykoff High School in 1974. She continued her education at the Spencer School of Business, earning an associate’s degree in office administration.
Diane met Ernest “Ernie” Manwarren at the Clay County Fair in 1987 after his mother, Nettie, introduced them. Diane and Ernie married July 7, 1989, in Emmetsburg, where they established their home and raised three children, Megan, Mathia and Justin.
The Clay County Fair remained a favorite destination throughout Diane’s life. She looked forward to Tom Thumb Donuts, concerts and the excitement of the annual gathering. She also volunteered for numerous years at the fair’s pork tenderloin stand.
Diane enjoyed playing bingo wherever she found a game, visiting the casino and trying her luck at her favorite slot machine, completing crossword puzzles and going shopping. An enthusiastic reader, she assembled a personal library of books in her home.
She was also a gifted seamstress who could repair nearly anything with her sewing and cross-stitching skills. Above all, Diane treasured the time she shared with her children, grandchildren and extended family.
Diane worked in environmental services at Palo Alto County Health System, helping maintain the facility until her retirement in 2020.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Megan and Devin Moon of Spencer, Mathia and Angel Nieves of Emmetsburg, and Justin Manwarren of Emmetsburg; grandchildren Norina and Brextyn Moon and Joshua and Amelia Nieves; siblings Doug and Dar Marks of Wasilla, Alaska, Denise Marks of Bloomington, Minnesota, Dave and Colleen Marks of Ostrander, Minnesota, and Dale and Mickey Marks of Clay Center, Kansas; close friend Diana Curry; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Diane was preceded in death by her husband, Ernie Manwarren; parents, Cletus and Shirley Marks; and sister, Dawn Lacher.
Additional arrangements and obituary information are available through Geelan Funeral Home.
NorthIowaToday.com publishes obituary and remembrance stories free of charge for families and funeral homes.