Obituary of Dianna L. Fuhrmeister

Dianna L. Fuhrmeister, age 71 of rural Iowa City, died Saturday, November 4, 2023, in her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30am Thursday, November 30, 2023, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Iowa City.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7pm Wednesday, November 29^th at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service.  In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in her memory to support the causes that were important to Dianna and her family.  To share a thought, memory or condolence please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website @ wwww.gayandciha.com.

Dianna Buchmayer Fuhrmeister was born January 26, 1952, to Leona Mae Kleinschmidt and Karl Joseph Buchmayer in Washington, Iowa. She attended Newport Country School, before graduating from City High School, in Iowa City Iowa in 1970. She earned a nursing degree through Kirkwood Community College in 1972. Dianna worked in the Newborn nursery at the University of Iowa hospitals until retirement. Dianna loved babies, and said she found a career where it never felt like going to work because she found a job she truly loved.

Dianna married her high school sweetheart John Paul Fuhrmeister on April 3, 1972.

They had four children: Matthew John, Amy Dawn, Lindsey Anne & Joanna Beth.

In 1980, the family moved out to Rural Iowa City, where they built a new home, and helped farm the family farm. Gardening being a passion of Dianna’s, together John & Dianna started “Gooseberry Hills Subscription Produce.” They grew organic produce for 20 weeks throughout the year. Produce was harvested, placed in baskets and delivered to their client’s doors weekly. “Farmers market to your door” is how their business was described. It was a huge success, and at one point having over 50 customers. Doing all of the deliveries was a huge task, but they made it work.

In addition to her nursing job at the University, Dianna had a in home daycare, and helped take care of welfare foster babies, in addition to her own children.

Dianna was very active in each of her children’s lives as a member of: The Shimek Elementary PTA, and helping to design and construct the playground equipment. The Johnson County Fair Board, she helped with County Fairs, and upkeep at the Johnson County Fairgrounds. The Johnson County Iowa Farm Bureau board, where she helped to promote agriculture, meet with the Iowa City Public Schools, bringing agriculture into the classroom, teach kids where their food comes from, defend family farms from urban sprawl. The Johnson County Wool Growers Association, Where she promoted the products of lamb producers, Wool, meat, etc. She was on the Dottie Ray WMT Radio Show to promote the Sheep & Woolgrowers Association. A 4-H leader, where she taught valuable life skills such as Sewing, cooking, public speaking, etc  A active member at Bethany Lutheran Church in West Branch, Iowa. She Served on the church council, visited shut in’s with Pastor Bob, and also being voted in as the church secretary for Pastor Marty.

Dianna was proud of her heritage, and often shared how our relatives came over from Germany, Prussia, Czechoslovakia. She was a student of her families history, interviewing  “Nannie” Buchmayer & Karl Buchmayer, about how they grew up. Karl often told the story of how he had to milk 12 cows by hand every morning prior to going to school. You never knew how good you had it, until you listened to one of Karl’s Stories. She also reported the family history at the Reynolds/Kleinschmidt family reunions.

Dianna Also had a love for writing & reading. She wrote a weekly column for the Iowa City Press Citizen that was very popular. Dianna loved homemade cooking and canning for her extended family. Dianna and her mother Leona participated in the Country Mouse, City Mouse bake sale, where each year they would bake for weeks. They baked Kolaches, cookies, pies, cinnamon Rolls to sell at the bake sale for extra money.

When each of the kids grew up, got married and had families of their own, the girls were so thankful to have Dianna as a willing babysitter.  She loved babies, and she loved being a grandmother. She treasured each of her grandchildren, and often said “She always wanted twins, and she got that when Joseph & Eric were born. She also loved being with her other grandkids: Zella, Sammy, Allie & Izaak.

Dianna loved to help set up treasure hunts for the kids, on Halloween or Easter. She said that the best part of her life was getting the privilege of being a mother & grandmother, and she loved every minute of it. Her loving husband of 51 years, John was by her side whenever she needed anything.

Dianna’s family includes her husband, John; their children, Matthew, Amy (Jerry), Lindsey (Dan), & Joanna (John); daughter-in-law, Carmen; 6 grandchildren, brother, Kerry (Barb) Buchmayer and sister, Barbie (Clark) Zarifis.

She was proceeded in death by her son, Matthew; brother, Rory and parents, Karl and Leona.

Dianna loved the song “I hope you dance” by Lee Ann Womack.

She said “At my funeral, tell everyone…I Danced.”