Diana Lynn Dinsdale, 76

Diana Lynn Dinsdale, 76, of New Hartford, Iowa, passed away on Saturday morning, November 1, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. 

Diana was born on June 29, 1949, in Hampton, Iowa. She was the daughter of Janice (Larson) and Dale Brinkman. She graduated from New Hartford High School in 1967 and went on to graduate from Patricia Stevens Finishing School in Chicago, Illinois. She intended to be a flight attendant but at that time her height did not allow it. Instead, she worked at Houghton Mifflin Publishing Company in Chicago. In 1971, Diana married Phil Santioemma and stayed home to raise their children. Diana moved back to New Hartford after their divorce. She joined her parents' business, Brinkman’s Insurance Agency. She always felt fortunate to be able to work alongside her parents. In 1982, Diana was united in marriage to David Dinsdale. 

Family was most important to Diana. She thoroughly loved being a mom to her children and especially a grandma to her grandchildren. Her favorite times were holidays when her entire family would be together. She loved to laugh, tell stories of her childhood and raising her kids. Diana’s absolute favorite activity was spending time with her grandchildren. She deeply and unconditionally loved them and was so proud of the people they are becoming and everything they did no matter how small. Her grandchildren could talk to her about anything and always felt her unwavering love and support. She had a gift for listening without judgment and offering gentle wisdom that made everyone around her feel seen, accepted, and understood. 

Diana was the kindest woman with an enormously big heart. She had an innate empathy for people that grew even stronger as she navigated her own journey with cancer. She met this journey head on with strength, resilience and fought hard to the very end. 

Diana enjoyed spending time outdoors, tending to her flowers, and sitting on her porch on a hot summer day. She took great pride in caring for her yard and was insistent that no one else could mow it but her. After finishing the job, she always rewarded herself with a Coors Light in a frosty mug. Diana had a deep fondness for animals and made sure the birds and squirrels in her yard were always well fed. She also loved dogs and was the trusted dog sitter for all of her children’s pets, treating each one as if it were her own. She was excited to watch her grandchildren in their many school events and was their loudest cheerleader at their games. She was an avid Chicago Bears, Iowa State Cyclones, and Indiana Fever fan. 

Diana is survived by her husband of over 43 years, David; four children, 

Rosemary (James) Santoiemma-Klopping of Vinton, Dale (Dee) Santoiemma of 

Independence, Joanna (Charlie) Heyer of Waverly and Ryan Dinsdale of New Hartford; nine grandchildren, Gabe, Mikey, Scott, Ben, Megan, Ellie, Abby, Zach and Nicholas; a sister, Bonnie (Jerry) Williams; a sister-in-law, Leah (Glenn) Tollefson; a brother-in-law, Larry (Lavilah) Dinsdale and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Janice; sisters-in-law, Shirley Woehlk and Darlene Eggers; and brother-in-law, Jim Dinsdale. 

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at New 

Hartford Community Church. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery, New Hartford. 

Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 7, 2025, at Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly. Memorials may be directed to Diana’s family for later designation and online condolence may be left at www.kaisercorson.com. Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly is assisting Diana’s family. 319-352-1187 

Pallbearers:

Gabe Santoiemma 

Ben Heyer 

Mikey Santoiemma 

Zachary Klopping 

Megan Heyer 

Ellie Heyer 

Abby Heyer 

Nicholas Klopping 

Scott McGraw