Diane Martin

Diane Sue Martin passed away Thursday July 27th, 2023, at the age of 63 due to complications from type 1 diabetes.

Diane was born December 7th, 1959, to Patricia “Rogers” and Dewey Marselle. The youngest of three children, Diane shared a close bond with her sister, Cathy Lynn and brother, Dewey Robert.

On March 1st, 1980, Diane was united in marriage to Brad Martin in Seattle, Washington. Diane gave birth to three healthy, if not a bit rambunctious children:  Grant, Kathryn and Nicholas, whom she raised with Brad during their 26-year marriage. As her children grew, Diane also cultivated her own interests – becoming an excellent cook, throwing awesome holiday parties (Holy Meatball Eve) and growing lovely gardens thanks to a very green thumb.

Diane attended Saint Pius X and Dowling Catholic High School. During these years she developed a love for music, art and her community.  The fruits of these passions are evidenced in memories of countless get-togethers where she sang while plucking her guitar strings - successfully encouraging friends and family, young and old, to join her not just in song but in the spirit of camaraderie and fun.    You can see her love of fine art in the art she collected and the art she created - the many sketches, paintings and pastel works she created for herself and others. Most importantly, she learned the importance of sharing love within our community – demonstrated through her continual commitment to the people in her life.  Diane had a unique ability to put those around her at ease, creating an atmosphere of tolerance, where diversity is appreciated and admired.  The genuine love she poured into each environment she found herself in, resulted in her cultivating deep, lifelong connections, both professionally and personally.

While living in Washington state Diane unknowingly started her successful career in human services when she began volunteering at her children’s school and for WIC. Diane’s easy-going nature and caring presence evoked positivity and progress in her coworkers and clients. Over the years she chose jobs that were service oriented, including many years as an employee for a nonprofit agency, headquartered in Ames, Iowa, Youth and Shelter Services.  She held a variety of roles during her time with them: as a case manager in the Light House, a shelter for women and children, at Buchanan - a transitional living facility for homeless youth and for kids aging out of foster care, she also served as their volunteer services coordinator. Diane graduated from Upper Iowa University earning her bachelor’s degree and spent the last of her working years as a behavioral health intervention specialist at Lifeworks Counseling and Therapy services.

Diane is survived by her father Dewey R. Marselle, her brother Dewey Marselle, sister Cathy (Mike) Hurley, sons Grant and Nick (Amy) Martin, daughter Kathryn Markley, six grandchildren: Alex and Lucas Martin, Reed, Wes and Liv Markley, and Ethan Echols, along with many nieces and nephews who lovingly referred to her as Auntie Di. She was preceded in death by her mother Patricia Marselle and son in law, Kalen Markley.

A celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday, November 4th 2023 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at The Giovannetti Community Center, Walker Johnston Park, 9000 Douglas Ave, Urbandale, IA 50322. In lieu of flowers or money, please make a memorial contribution to the American Diabetes Association in Diane’s name.

Diane is deeply missed.  Her legacy continues to live through the laughter, love and light she shared so freely during her time with us.  Diane’s faith leaves us with the knowledge there isn’t a period at the end of her story here on earth. Instead, there’s a comma reminding us that our journey with her will be continued.