Diane Kay Vajgrt

Diane Kay Vajgrt (Barry/Norman), of Lincoln, Nebraska and formerly of Cedar Falls and Marshalltown, Iowa, made her journey to God on March 19, 2023, at 3:26pm surrounded by her family.

A family-led Celebration of life will be held for Diane at Ada Hayden Heritage Park 5205 Grand, Ames, IA 50010, on April 16th from 1pm to 4pm we will provide a small meal. Please bring your memories, a chair and celebrate her beautiful life with us.

Diane Kay Barry/Norman was born February 13, 1940, in Iowa City, Iowa, to Rosa Vining, of Cedar Falls, Iowa. She grew up and attended school in Cedar Falls, Iowa, where she would graduate in the class of 1958. Diane later attended Marshalltown Community College as well as University of Northern Iowa.

Diane worked in her early days with Martin in the family business, she also worked for the Marshalltown Hospital emergency dispatch, where she met her lifelong friend Kenny Perkins. Diane worked for MICA for several years as well. Then her and her great friend Jean Larson ran their passion project (Iowa Collation for Social Justice). In the 80’s, Diane supported struggling teens and had over 17 foster children. They gave her the nick name "Mumz."

Diane later lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Santee, California, before returning to Iowa to aid her mother later in life. After the 2008 flood, Diane moved to Omaha and then Lincoln, Nebraska, to be close to family.

In her free time, Diane enjoyed drawing especially with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, she was a talented artist who loved painting canvas and ceramics, she painted her nails every vibrant color she could find in hopes to spark joy in all those around her. She spent lots of time, talking to her family on the phone, eating cheese balls and m&m’s, watching NASCAR and watched the same soaps for almost 60 years. She loved Elvis Presley, Elton John, Kris Kristofferson and of course, some good old rock and roll.

Diane would be united in marriage to Martin Vajgrt for 17 years. Together they had 4 children: Martin Benjamin, Michael Aaron, Matthew Christopher and Dietta Michelle.

Diane is survived by: Michael, Matthew and Dietta. Her 9 grandchildren: Bradley, Blake, Emily, Ashley, Jacob, Abigail, Lance, Bailey and Amanda. And her 10 Great Grandchildren: Libby, Breann, Lucas, Stella, Sawyer, Sophie, Zander, Larkin, Zada and Zeli.

Diane was proceeded in death by her Grandmother Mary Ella Chapman, Mother Rosa and Step Father Kenny, her son Martin Benjamin, best friend Kenny, Great Granddaughter Zuri Fe and her dogs Ebony and Scamp.

Diane was the matriarch of an adoring family and treasured by all.

- lovingly written by the family