Diana Rae Condon passed away peacefully on August 3rd, 2022, surrounded by her closest family members at Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge, IA.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 8th at 10:30 AM at Holy Trinity Church with Msgr. Kevin McCoy officiating the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Barnum. Visitation will be on Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at Laufersweiler Funeral Home.
Diane was born on November 25th, 1948, the fourth of eight children to Walter and Monica (Miller) Flaherty in Pocahontas, Iowa. Diane grew up on the family farm east of town where she developed a strong spirit which sometimes was mistaken for sass or stubbornness. In those early years, "Annie" as she was known to some, developed lifelong friendships that sustained her right up until her final moments, including with Jill (Fischer) Lawler. Along with a lifetime of laughter, it was also that friendship that led to an encounter at the Laramar Ballroom where Jill's husband, Steve, introduced Diane to his cousin, Joe Condon. Despite her father's advice as a young girl to not marry a farmer, Diane & Joe would begin their nearly five-decades-long journey together on February 15th, 1974, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pocahontas. They settled on what is now Diane & Joe's family farm a mile outside of Barnum, IA, where over the next many years, together, they would survive the farm crisis of the 80s, persevere through the chaos of a significant home renovation in the 90s, and experience the pros and cons of raising five sons with drivers' licenses.
Other than the annual summer vacation to Triggs Bay Resort on East Lake Okoboji, the only place Diane ever really wanted to be was on that piece of property along a gravel road in rural Barnum, with all of her boys. Diane loved her sons fiercely, and while that "mama bear" posture may have intimidated some along the way, she managed to receive the title of "mother-in-law" enabling her to enjoy the "daughters she never had" who soon would realize the depth of her loyalty and of her love. In return, those daughters would afford Diane perhaps her most cherished role and the title of "Grandma". Diane was the proud grandmother to 9 grandkids who will greatly miss her thoughtful and dedicated participation in their many activities.
Diane viewed many of the friends she made through life as something much richer than a common bond or mutual affection. In addition to being a connoisseur of Diet Pepsi, Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits, and Dariette Strawberry Sundaes; Diane greatly enjoyed the time she spent with her Barnum Card Club Gals, the parishioners who made up the foundation of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church community and her fellow parent-volunteers met through various events within the MNW and St. Edmond's school districts. Professionally, a lot of local taxpayers will remember Diane from her days as First Deputy with the Webster County Treasurer's Office for over 15 years where hopefully she made it easier on them to hand over their payments. For the last 10 years, Diane and her family faced many challenges, but they did it together, rooted in Diane's belief that: "Family is not an important thing. It's everything."
Diane is preceded in death by her parents Walter and Monica, her brother Patrick and sister-in-law Marlene Flaherty, and her brother Garry and sister-in-law Carol Flaherty. She is survived by her husband, Joe and their sons: Jason Condon of West Des Moines, Jim (Martha) Condon of Johnston, Nick Condon of Phoenix, AZ, Kevin (Rachel) Condon of West Des Moines, and Stephen (Kimberly) Condon of Chicago, IL; her grandchildren Jackson and Charles Condon (Jason), Grace, Ryne, Joseph and Theodore Condon (Jim), Emmett, Wyatt and Blaire Condon (Kevin). She is also survived by siblings Linda (Ray) Rouse of Emmetsburg, Shiela (Jim) Roche of Lakeville, MN, Dennis (Jan) Flaherty of Pocahontas, Duane of Pocahontas, Cheri (Darrell) Bethke of Hartley.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital that Diane became a cheerleader of following the care her grandson, Joey, has received there since 2016. Donations can be made online via this link
­­­­www.gofundme.com/f/diane-condon-memorial-fund-honoring-st-judes?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1 ­

or checks can be made out to "Diane Condon Memorial Fund - c/o Jim Condon" and mailed to Jim at 5909 NW 97th Street, Johnston, IA 50131.

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