Diana Lea Adams

Diana Lea (Philp) Adams, 69, most recently of Elkhorn, Nebraska, passed away at home on May 3, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family, after a short, yet courageous, battle with glioblastoma.

Diana was born on July 25, 1956, in Waterloo, Iowa, to Edward and Marian Philp, and grew up in the nearby town of Reinbeck. Together with her four sisters and one brother, she made lasting memories that she loved to share. In high school, she ran track as a sprinter, specializing in the 440-yard dash. She graduated as a proud member of the Reinbeck High School class of 1974, and went on to receive her Executive Secretarial degree from the American Institute of Business in Des Moines in 1976.

While her stated occupation was as a secretary, and later as the billing specialist for Carrera Transport and Panterra Transport, her father’s trucking companies, Diana’s true dedication in life was to her family. On October 6, 1984, she married Timothy Adams in Omaha, and they were married for over 41 years, something she always took as a great accomplishment. Her and Tim had three children – Valerie, Nathan, and Ben – and as a family, they moved across the country several times. By the time Diana found her way back to the Omaha area, she’d lived in eight different states stretching from coast to coast, including some multiple times. She was a dedicated observer of everything her children took part in, from middle school choir concerts to strongman competitions and everything in-between, always offering her love and support from the audience.

In her spare time, especially in her later retirement, Diana enjoyed reading, especially Danielle Steel novels. She also enjoyed watching movies, usually choosing between Alfred Hitchcock and classic Disney. While she never would have imagined it when she was younger, she ended up also being quite the cat lover, never living without at least one cat for the last 30 years of her life. She loved to travel, making it to all but two of the 50 states: Alaska and Rhode Island. Her very favorite place in the world was Multnomah Falls, outside of Portland, Oregon. She loved the color purple, listening to the music of her youth – Neil Diamond and John Denver were among her favorite artists – and playing six-way Yahtzee with Tim, which could get very competitive.

Diana is survived by her husband of 41 years, Timothy Adams, of Elkhorn, NE; her daughter, Valerie Adams, of Elkhorn, NE; her son, Nathan Adams, and his partner Tom Connors, of West Hollywood, CA; her son, Ben Adams, and his wife Katie, of Ankeny, IA; her beloved cat, Rosie; her grand-cats, Olivia, Eleanor, Wilson, and Maria.

She is also survived by her sisters Susan Philp (Lance Clarke), of Snowmass, CO; Linda (John) Wright, of Carmel, IN; Sharon (Esfand) Dinshaw, of West Des Moines, IA; Jennifer (Steve) Johnson, of Johnston, IA; her sister-in-law Roxie Philp, of Waterloo, NE; her father-in-law, Bert Adams, of Omaha, NE; her brother-in-law, Mark Adams, of Omaha, NE; her nieces and nephews Heidi Philp, Justin (Monika) Philp, Chelsea Adams, Jarred (Holly) Adams, Lauren (Doug) Zhang, Stephanie (Austin) Sullivan, Tyler Wright, Brandon Dinshaw, Kayla Dinshaw, Alyssa Johnson, Spencer Johnson, Gavin Johnson, Annabelle Johnson; her great-nieces and nephews, Brinley Tennis, Hudson & Harper Philp, Caroline & Anthony Zhang, Malachi Adams; and many more cousins and extended family. As well, she is survived by countless friends that she made throughout her lifetime, from across the country, whether from her childhood, or from church, or through PEO – wherever she went, she was likely to make friends with her genuine smile and kind spirit.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Marian Philp; her brother, John Philp; her mother-in-law, Georgia Adams; her sister-in-law, Jill Adams; her cats, White Paws and Leo; her grand-cat, Flower.

The family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice for their excellent care in Diana’s final weeks.

Funeral services will be held at Peace Presbyterian Church in Elkhorn on May 9, 2026, at 11 am, with visitation an hour beforehand. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Omaha.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Diana’s memory may be made to the local cat rescue of your choosing.

Diana will be forever loved and deeply missed, remembered always.