A bell rang on January 22, 2023, at 1:15 am and an angel got her wings. Angel First Class DiAnn Donna Deutmeyer Ahearn ascended to the Great Casino in the Sky where she was met by her husband, Dan, with a pocketful of silver dollars. The two were spotted at the Double Diamond slot machine pumping silver dollars in the hopes of hitting the “big bonanza.”

DiAnn, 84 years young, was a shining light in many people’s world—always smiling and there with a laugh to brighten everyone’s day. With her goes the sayings, “Thanks a million” and punctuating each sentence with, “Oh, you guys!” She will be missed, but never forgotten.

DiAnn was born on March 13, 1938, to Emil and Viola (Meyer) Deutmeyer in Dubuque, IA. She was one of seven children (each preceded her in death) including Leslie, Audrey, Duane, Darlene, Glenn, and Melvin. In her early years, she attended the Academy of Visitation and was employed at Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. back when phones had cords and were still connected to walls.

She met and married Daniel Ahearn on June 7, 1958, who incidentally greeted her at the Gates of Heaven early Sunday morning. Because they were Catholic and it’s church law, they had six children of their own. In the cruel twist of fate, the youngest “Julie” popped out a girl, ruining the chance of the family becoming the next Brady Bunch.

DiAnn never strayed far from her Dubuque roots, getting as far as 60 miles south to the eventual hotbed of nightlife activity, Clinton, IA when husband, Dan, was transferred to “the city with a thousand smells.” After raising her family and completing her penance, Mrs. Ahearn attended Marycrest college, degreed and became a drug and alcohol abuse counselor at New Directions. After a series of strategic career moves, she became a Court Task Officer with the Iowa Department of Corrections–the family is proud that during her 20-year tenure, never once was she accused of taking a bribe.

In no particular level of importance, The Ahearn brood was as follows: Terri (Crawfordville, FL), Lori (on DiAnn’s right in heaven), Patti (Euless, Texas), Michael (on DiAnn’s left in heaven), David (Texas State Penitentiary Inmate #465789), and Julie (Onalaska, WI). She was truly proud of five of her six children.

Mrs. Ahearn leaves a slew of grandchildren: Brianna Roggendorf, Shelby King, Brendon Roggendorf, Nicole Ahearn, Ryan Driscoll, Courtney Garrels, Marissa Garrels, Austin Driscoll, Mackenzie Garrels, Carson Ahearn, Kaitlin Bryant, and Bella Ahearn.

Rounding out the branches on the family tree include two little sprigs, great-grandchildren Cullen and Crosby King (Shelby).

A memorial service will take place at a later date. The Pape Funeral Home is assisting the family.