Diane M. Hertel

Diane M. Hertel

Coralville

Diane M. Hertel, age 87 of Coralville, died Friday, January 3, 2025, at her home surrounded by her family and under the compassionate care of Iowa City Hospice.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at the First Christian Church in Coralville, burial will take place at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City following a reception at the church. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm Tuesday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her memory to the First Christian Church of Coralville, Iowa City Free Lunch Program or Iowa City Hospice. To share a thought, memory or condolence with her family please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website at www.gayandciha.com.

Diane was born on August 5, 1937, the daughter of George and Beatrice (Ritz) Petsel in Iowa City, Iowa. She attended country school while living on a farm until she was seven years old when the family moved to Iowa City. Diane graduated from Iowa City High School in 1955, attending the University of Iowa when her youngest daughter was five; then graduating from the University of Iowa in 1968. Diane married Ronald G. Hertel, the love of her life, on August 5, 1973. They had a loving and enjoyable relationship for many years. They played golf, danced, traveled, followed the Iowa Hawkeye events and visited family and friends.

Diane loved playing bridge with many different groups, enjoying their company and the challenge of the game. Gardening, reading, visiting with family and friends and any aspect of nature were her other main interests.

Growing up with her on the farm was her twin brother, Duane, and three siblings, Joe, Bob and Beth; she naturally was drawn to the love of nature and respect for the earth. This curiosity carried over to 29 years of teaching 4th, 5th and 5th/6th graders. This love of nature prompted her to make her own science kits to help students understand concepts, help establish a prairie pocket, backyard habitat and provide a weather station for the 5th grade class working with KWWL-TV. Her enjoyment in teaching helped her to initiate writings from each student to be published in the Press-Citizen for several years, and then compiling each student's writing into a booklet for them to keep.

The most important thing in life to Diane was church, family and friends. She treasured the time and relationship she had with them. She was a member of First Christian Church, being an Elder for two years, serving on other committees and groups within the church while volunteering for others outside the church.

Her family includes her daughter, Kim Hertel (Steve); grandchildren: Amy Heavin (Matt), Kevin Blair(Sherry); great-grandchildren: Alex, Gus and Atticus Heavin; cousin, Judy Hall; stepson, Paul Hertel; stepdaughters, Connie Owen (Ron) and Laura Swanson (Steve); stepgrandchildren, Chris Hertel (Kristal), Austin Swanson (Emma), Alyssa Swanson, Tracey McMullen and Matt Owen; stepgreat-grandchildren, Warren Swanson, Haiden and Megan Hertel; and Chandler and Killian McMullen and Scout Owen. Many wonderful nieces, great-nieces, nephews, great-nephews and second cousins survive her.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Joy Blair; her husband, Ronald Hertel; three brothers, Joe, Bob and Duane Petsel; two sisters, Dorothy Petsel and Beth Miller; three nephews, Eric Tammes, Richard Tammes and Joey Petsel; a great-grandson, Brian Blair; a niece and a special bumble bee, Charlie.

Diane lived a rich, full life on a teacher's salary!

The family wishes to thank a very special doctor who listens to his patients: Dr. Morton Machin; also very special Nurse Practitioners: Amanda Karantkolas and Annalisa Kochran and other outstanding physicians: Dr. Rod Zeitler, Dr. Rachel Becker, Dr. Jami Shephard, and Dr. Kimberly Baker-El Abid; and to this amazing staff at UIHC for the love, devotion and care which cannot be overstated!

The family wishes to thank IC Hospice for their support and care of Diane.