Diane Luella McFarland

Diane Luella McFarland (Starrett/Fladt) was born on January 13, 1955, to parents Paul and Betty (Edgington) Fladt, and grew up in Danville, Iowa. She had three older siblings-Sandra, Paul, and Lona. A child of the times and the soul of an artist, Diane left home at an early age to see what the big, bold world had to offer her. In 1972, she gave birth to her oldest daughter, Wendy. Unfortunately, fate would keep them apart until many years later when they were joyfully reunited. In 1973, Diane met who would become the love of her life, Bob "Chief" Starrett, in a small diner in Cedar Rapids where she had been a waitress. She was charmed by his dashing good looks and devilish humor, and he with her boldness and refusal to back down, the pair soon became inseparable. The following year, Bob's father had become incredibly ill, and the couple moved to Pacific Junction, Iowa to make their home. Diane was blessed with two more daughters-Misty in 1974 and Lona in 1977. During the girls' early childhood years, Diane was a stay-at-home mom and to make extra money, Diane had taught herself to bake and decorate beautiful cakes. Diane also put her other artistic skills to the test, when she became the only female tattoo shop owner and tattoo artist in Southwest Iowa in the late 70's/early 80's. In 1985, Diane let life take her in another direction where she began her career at Hillside Manor in Glenwood, Iowa as a certified nurse's aide. Eventually, with some encouragement from fellow coworkers and her husband Bob, Diane decided to go back to school at the age of 34 to not only get her GED, but to go on and achieve a Bachelor's Degree in Social Services and a Master's Degree in Health Administration/Management, and earned both degrees with high honors. With degrees in hand, Diane left Hillside Manor and went on to work as a group home administrator for Nishna Productions. Diane had a love and a passion for serving disabled adults and cherished her time with both companies. As time went on, Diane later left Nishna Productions and went on to work for the State of Iowa Department of Human Services as an Income Maintenance Worker, which is where she worked until she later retired. Later, Diane was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease which would greatly impact her life. Sadly, on January 28, 2026, Diane passed away peacefully with her two younger daughters, her grandsons, her two sons-in-law, and friends by her side after a long illness.

Diane had a wonderfully fascinating life. In her early, wild, artist days, she had: snuck into concerts; hitch hiked across the U.S. and saw many different states and cities; belonged in a motor cycle club with her husband; was a self-taught artist who never stopped trying to learn new techniques; a baker; a tattoo artist; was a team member of an all-women's tug-o-war team that took 3rd place at nationals; an activist; a staunch defender of the defenseless; was a school dropout that achieved great success; a volunteer Firemanette for the PJ fire squad; a lover of art, music, and all things wonderful. If there was one thing anyone could take away from Diane's story it is tenacity. No matter the hardships, the bumps in the road, or the pit falls, Diane could manage to find her way through it and over it. She knew how to overcome any obstacle. Diane was a gentle spirit that loved those around her with her whole heart, with no judgement or preconceived notions. Her quiet resolve and welcome nature made others feel at once at ease in her presence. She was an amazing mother, and friend to all who knew her, and her absence will be strongly felt.

Diane is preceded in death by her parents Paul and Betty, her sisters Sandra and Lona, her brother Wayne, her daughter Wendy, and her husband Bob. She is survived by her daughters Misty (David Wegman) and Lona (Matthew Thomson), grandsons Dante and Vincent Kight, and a multitude of framily and friends.

A Celebration of Life for Diane will be held at a later date sometime in May. If interested in attending, please contact either Lona or Misty for information. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to any one of the following charities in her honor:

The Parkinson's Foundation

Midlands Humane Society

Pottawattamie Arts/Culture Entertainment/ Hoff Center