Adrienne Diane Ekstam

Adrienne Diane Ekstam, 91 passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at The Summit in Coralville, IA, surrounded by her family.

Diane was born on July 11, 1934, in Geneva, IL to Raymond and Leone Johnson. She spent her childhood years in Geneva and was confirmed at the Geneva Lutheran Church. She and her parents then moved to Batavia where she graduated from Batavia High School in 1952. She attended Augustana College in Rock Island, IL from 1952-1956 graduating with a bachelor's degree in business. While attending Augustana, Diane was a member of the Augustana choir under the direction of Dr. Henry Veld. While on tour with the choir, Diane was asked by her college roommate to say "hello" to her roommate's boyfriend at the time, Fred Ekstam who was a student at Augustana but who had been drafted and currently stationed in San Francisco, California during the Korean War. Diane did find Fred at the concert and stars must have aligned because upon Fred's return to college, the two began dating and were married on September 2, 1956.

Diane and Fred began their married life in Iowa City. Diane worked for the University of Iowa Athletic Department selling football tickets while Fred completed his master's degree in Geology. They moved to Laurens, IA where they started a business and lived for 13 years before moving to Storm Lake, IA where Diane worked as the Executive Secretary for the Dean of Faculty at Buena Vista University. In 1986, they moved to Fort Collins, CO where Diane worked as the Executive Secretary for the Miller Oil Company. They loved Colorado where they could sit on the back deck of their home enjoying the view of the mountains, the warmth of the sunshine, all while drinking a cup of coffee and an occasional glass of scotch. In 2012, they moved back to the Iowa City area to be closer to family, settling in North Liberty.

Diane loved music and was a gifted and talented musician. She directed church choirs, community choirs, gave voice & piano lessons and shared her many talents in many ways. She also enjoyed cooking and reading. Her main joy was being a mom, a wife and a grandmother. She always said, "She loved being a mom."

Survivors include her three children: Mary Helen Ekstam, Naperville, IL; Karen (Frank) Smith, Iowa City; Peter (Tracy) Ekstam, Cranberry Township, PA; four grandchildren: Ben & Sarah Smith and Ava & Alaina Ekstam; seven nephews and one cousin.

Diane was preceded in death by her husband, C. Fred Ekstam; her parents, Raymond & Leone Johnson; her father & mother-in-law, Elmer & Ada Ekstam; one nephew, Eric Lund; and four cousins.

The family extends their heartfelt appreciation for kind and loving support from the entire staff at The Summit in Coralville, the Essence of Life Hospice, the 24-Hour Care provided by Sue Chase and her team of caregivers, the UIHC staff (especially Emily Rockafellow) for their outstanding care.

There will be a private memorial service at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Batavia, IL with a graveside service following at River Hills Cemetery in Batavia in the summer of 2026.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Essence of Life Hospice, Amana, IA.

Arrangements are with Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service.