Dr. Diana Reed

1942 - 2019

Dr. Diana Reed

Des Moines - Dr. Diana Reed passed away on January 8, 2019 after a long, courageous battle with cancer. We have lost a wife, mother, and Nana, but the world has lost an incredible teacher and leader. Diana faced cancer like she lived her life, with strength, dignity, courage, style and passion.

Diana was born on February 19, 1942 in Baytown, TX. She was raised in West Columbia, TX by her parents, Ola Mae and Hardin Reed. She attended West Columbia High School and earned her bachelor degree from Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX. Where she met and married JS Mendenhall. They had two daughters, Michelle and Larisa. Diana earned her Master's degree at the University of Wisconsin Platteville and her doctorate at the University of Wisconsin Madison.

Diana taught at several universities before finding her professional forever home at Drake University. Thousands of students have taken Business Management courses from Diana and she was well known for her lesson with Tinker Toys. She held many positions while at Drake including Assistant and Associate Dean of the College of Business.

Diana met and married her soulmate, Richard Rarick in 1986. They had 32 years of fun and adventure. Diana loved to travel and she and Rick journeyed all over the world for Rotary and pleasure.

Diana joined the Northwest Des Moines Chapter of Rotary in 1988. She served Rotary in many capacities including being the first woman chapter president in 1995. She also participated in the District 6000 activities as a member of the Training Committee, World Community Service Committee, Executive Committee, Assistant Governor, and in 2007 became the first woman District Governor of Iowa. Both Diana and Rick are Paul Harris Fellows.

Diana was preceded in death by her mother and father. Left to keep her memory are her husband, Rick; daughters, Michelle (James) Campos and Larisa Mendenhall; grandchildren, Bryan, Jake, and Ben Campos, and Kailee Mendenhall.

Services will be held at Hamilton's on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA on Thursday, January 17, 2019 with visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. and a Service of Remembrance following at 7:00 p.m.

Gifts and tributes may be directed to Rotary Foundation in the name of Diana Reed. Condolences and the full obituary can be found at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.