Obituary of Diane K. Schweer

Diane K. Schweer, 52, of Iowa City went to be with our Lord on Thursday, July 19, 2018, after a long struggle with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) at Atrium Village in Hills, IA.

A service celebrating Diane’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 28, at Christ The King Lutheran Church in Iowa City, with burial at Oakland Cemetery. A light lunch will follow the service at church. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 27, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Diane’s memory to Christ The King Lutheran Church, CurePSP, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. To share a thought, memory or condolence please visit the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com.

Diane, the daughter of Erland and Elinor (Chase) Almquist, was born in Red Oak, IA, on December 28, 1965. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Red Oak and was a 1984 graduate of Red Oak Community High School. Diane graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 1988 and a Master of Science in Nursing degree in 1996. After earning her undergraduate degree, Diane worked at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC), the first two years in 5-Boyd Tower and then in the cardiovascular ICU until 1997, following the birth of her first child.

Diane married Daniel Schweer on July 2, 1994, at Christ The King Lutheran Church in Iowa City. She is survived by her husband and their children, Brian and Lynn, all of Iowa City; her mother, Elinor Almquist of Red Oak; a brother, Dennis (Brenda) Almquist of Sidney, IA; two sisters, Mary (Wallace) Wanek of Iowa City and Sharon (Phil) Napolitano of Hamden, CT; her mother-in-law, Kathryn Schweer of Iowa City; brothers-in-law Mark (Denise) Schweer of Iowa City and David Schweer (Cheryl Lloyd) of Reno, NV; nieces and nephews, Lane and Carly Almquist of Sidney, IA; Kathryn Napolitano of Boston, MA; John Napolitano of Hamden, CT; Miranda and Alex Schweer of Cedar Rapids, IA; step-nieces, Carlene (Austin) Keeler of Waynesboro, VA, and Sandra (Josh) Walker, and a great-niece, Emily Walker, all of Kansas City, MO; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Erland Almquist; father-in-law, Melvin Schweer; and stepfather-in-law, John Dane.

Diane was a dedicated mother who volunteered for a number of organizations related to her children, including the Mark Twain Elementary School PTO, the South East Junior High PSTO, and the Iowa City Community School District Parent Organization. She also served as a Den Mother for Cub Scouts Pack 204 and was a committee member for Boy Scout Troop 204. In addition, Diane volunteered at UIHC and with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. She was active in the Women of the ELCA at Christ The King Lutheran Church and enjoyed playing Scrabble with the University Club. She loved to crochet, play the piano, decorate cakes, attend her children’s activities, and spend time with family and friends.

Diane’s family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff at Atrium Village and Essence of Life Hospice and to all family, friends, and members of Christ The King Lutheran Church and other congregations who provided prayer and support.