Diana Mary (Hoffman) Clark of Merrill, Iowa, passed away July 12, 2023, after a courageous two-year battle with Ovarian Cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at All Saints Parish - St. Joseph Catholic Church in Le Mars. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Merrill, Iowa. Visitation with the family present will begin at 5:00 p.m., with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. followed by a Parish Rosary all on Monday, July 24, 2023 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars.

Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com .

Diana was born on April 16, 1947 and raised by Leonard and Ethel Hoffman on a farm near Estherville, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Estherville. She was the eldest of eleven and loved her big family. She graduated from Briar Cliff College with a degree in Elementary Education. She began a teaching career at Hinton Community School that spanned 38 years. She impacted so many young lives and believed in every child and pushed them to be their best.

Diana met the love of her life, Larry Clark, during her college years at Briar Cliff. They married on June 14, 1969, at St Patrick's Catholic Church in Estherville, Iowa. They were married for 51 years and raised their six children on the family farm near Merrill. They instilled the importance of family first. Diana was dedicated to her children and grandchildren; they were her greatest joy. She thrived on having a house full of people and being surrounded by her family. She was famous for the chocolate cake that the grandkids requested she make for their birthdays. Diana spent many weekends in Yankton camping and boating, and she loved flowers and the outdoors. She enjoyed traveling with the family and stopping at every historical marker. She always took advantage of every teaching and learning opportunity. She had an amazing ability to pack up six kids for spontaneous road trips.

Diana and Larry continued their love of travel and purchased a RV to tour the country during their retirement. They were active in their Born Free RV Club and took many group trips around the US. They enjoyed playing cards and bunco with friends. Diana spent her Tuesdays with college friends.

Diana was a voracious reader and passed her love of reading onto many of her children. She began quilting after her retirement, and it became her passion. Her quilts are a work of art, and she loved to share them with others. She donated many quilts to Veterans, those with cancer, and her family.

Survivors include: a daughter, Carmen Clark of Des Moines, IA; a son, David (Mary Jo) Clark of Merrill, IA, and their children, Gabriel, Paige, and Mikaela; a daughter, Sara (Barry) Quail of Westminster, CO, and their children, Lincoln and Kellen; a daughter, Shana Herke of Algona, IA, and her children, Aylee and Emersyn; a son, Steven (Melanie) Clark of Granger, IA, and their children, Olivia, Sophie, and Eli; a son, Jason (Shera) Clark of Ankeny, IA, and their children, Jaelyn and Brinley; her siblings, Dennis (Jean) Hoffman, Sharon Andersen, Marcia (Paul) Haywood, Jean (Mel) Fish, Myrna Hoffman, Joyce Hoffman, Kevin Hoffman, Craig Hoffman, and Lynn (Shelly) Hoffman; a brother-in-law, Gerald (Ilenne) Johnson, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry; her parents, Leonard and Ethel Hoffman; her father and mother-in-law, Lyman and Ayleen Clark; her brother, Alan Hoffman; a sister-in-law, Joan Johnson; and nephews, Andy Hoffman and Clark Johnson.

The family would like to thank the nurses, doctors, and staff of Unity Point and Mission Cancer and Blood for the compassionate and comfortable care they provided. We are also forever grateful to Carmen for caring for Mom in her home throughout her treatment.