12/30/2025
May you get through this difficult time, through prayers & the comfort of friends. Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of memories. Dianna was a wonderful person and will be missed by so many at Birkwood Village.
Dianna Jean (Buchwald) Nichols, born May 3, 1941 to parents Walter (Pete) and Katherine Buchwald passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025 under the loving care of the Iowa River Hospice in Marshalltown.
Funeral services for Dianna will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Visitation will take place, one hour before the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Memorials may be designated to the family. For more information or to send a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Dianna and her family.
Dianna had lived all of her life in Marshalltown, graduating in the MHS class of 1959. She married Larry Nichols on November 8, 1959. Dianna was well known around Marshalltown as she worked and raised her four children. She was a loving mother, who cheered fiercely in all the sporting activities of her three sons. Dianna was a proud parent of each of her children; when you visited with her, she likely shared their latest endeavors. Dianna worked for several years at Smitty’s Big Town, which later became Econofoods. Customers would happily wait in her line just to visit and enjoy her outgoing, lively conversation. One of Dianna’s lifelong hobbies was entering contests and she was quite lucky. Her most notable wins included a new car and a resort vacation in Mexico. Additionally, Dianna was always ready to travel. She enjoyed traveling to see her sons graduate from military training, including a trip to Hawaii to see her youngest son, Jack’s naval ship, a train trip to San Diego to watch son Dan’s graduation from the Marine Boot camp, and a visit to Charleston, South Carolina to see her son, Pat as he served on a naval ship. Rivaling her love of travel, was her love to dance, Before Larry’s death, they took lessons together. Dianna continued to participate in the line dance class at the Y until this year. Later in life, she and Larry camped at Twin Anchors Campground where they met many friends and entertained and enjoyed their grandchildren. Finally, Dianna had a special place in her heart when it came to caring for pets. She walked her dogs daily and over the years provided a home for many dogs and cats.
Dianna was preceded in death by her husband, Larry; parents; son, Daniel and an infant son, Larry Jr, as well as a sister, Connie Beaty. She is survived by a daughter, Teri (Nick) Mayer of Grimes, Iowa; sons: Patrick Nichols of Grimes, Iowa, and Jack Nichols of Marshalltown, Iowa; daughter-in-law: Jana (the late Daniel) Nichols, along with her brother, Guy (Elizabeth) Buchwald of Ames. Grandchildren include: Nathan Mayer, Haley (Jake) Wilcox, Megan (Aaron) Young, Jordan (Kaity) Mayer, Ryan (Brooke) Nichols, Alyssa Nichols, Marya (Dean) Fridley, Danielle (Dylan) Skellenger, Katie (Ben) Allison, Jennifer Nichols, Jared Nichols, Terri King and Jake Borton. Great grandchildren include: Myles and Emery Wilcox, Tatum and Maren Young, Hazel Mayer, Scarlett and Coen Nichols, Mason Fridley, Sawyer Westra, Archer and Bear Allison, and Ryker and Blakleigh King.
-lovingly written by the family
