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Diane Thomsen

July 29, 1954 ~ June 8, 2019

Diane Marie (Ciha) Thomsen, 64, of Cedar Rapids, passed away June 8, 2019, following a very short, but courageous fight with cancer. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 14, 2019, at Saint Matthew Catholic Church. Visitation: 4-7 p.m., Thursday, June 13, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. Diane is survived by her husband, Mike; children, Carly Michael (Alan) McMannus, Mackenzie Marie (Marcus Shane) Hootman, and Jake Edward (Kelly) Thomsen; far and away her greatest thrill, her grandchildren, Samuel and Margaret McMannus, Macale, Bryer, and Emersyn Hootman, and Colt and Madison Thomsen. She is also survived by sister, Karen Ciha; brothers, Dave (Laura), Dan (Colette), and Bill (Wendy) Ciha; brother-in-law, Mark (Gail) Thomsen, sister-in-law, Becky (Mike) Shaffer; and many nieces and nephews. Diane was born in Iowa City on July 29, 1954, the daughter of David and Marian Ciha. She attended Iowa City West, and started working at the University of Iowa as a dental hygienist. Showing questionable judgement, she married Mike Thomsen on October 21, 1978. Diane worked for Schimberg Company until she and Mike moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico; she loved it there. It is also where she started her favorite job, raising their three children, all born in New Mexico, before moving back to Cedar Rapids. She worked at Cedar Rapids Janitorial before retiring to help Mike in his business and devote her time to the kids. Her great friend Jane Travis, and her sorority sisters of Beta Sigma Phi, of which she was a member for over 35 years, were special in her life. Some of the organizations dear to her heart were Juvenile Diabetes, Hope Lodge, Ronald McDonald House, and the PTA. Diane also ran Rockin' Rags specializing in handmade baby gear. She blessed so many people with her creations and never hesitated to take on special projects. Rag blankets, burp cloths, cloth diapers, tag blankets, and so many more items will be treasured by hundreds for years to come. Her last gesture was to donate what she could to the Iowa Donors Network to assist in juvenile diabetes research. She was a special person and will be missed by the people whose lives she touched. Diane will always and forever be loved by her husband, kids, and grandkids. Memorials may be directed to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Eastern Iowa, or Ronald McDonald House of East Central Iowa.

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  1. Diane was a lovely lady with a beautiful smile. When Alan & Carly introduced us to Mike & Diane the connection was instant. We shared Sam & Margaret birthday parties, lunches & trips to JoAnn fabric. Diane passed her loving ways to Carly who is a wonderful wife, mother, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law & aunt. We all have another special “angel” in Heaven. Love, Jim, Pat & Family

  2. My prayers go out to the Ciha Family. Diane was a kind, wonderful woman gone to soon. Julia(Burch) and Todd Hyde

  3. Diane didn’t hold back much. She said it like she saw it. She was always a wonderful, kind, and gracious person to me. She never excluded me. I can hear her voice now telling me we need to get together. I will miss you Diane! Love you forever!!! Rest peacefully!!!

  4. Although we had not seen Diane for a very long time (she was in high school) we remembered how much fun she was. Even after so long I thought of her often. She was so kind and sent cards when my parents passed even though she had not seen them also for a long long time. We offer her family our thoughts and prayers. Darla and Jim Bartels

  5. Diane was a wonderful friend from our school years together at Coralville Central Elementary, through Junior High and on through Iowa City West High. While she may be gone from this world, we will all have our great memories of her to remember her. May God bless her family, and bring them comfort at this time.

  6. Thomsen and Ciha Families: So sorry for the loss of Diane….sounds like she was a very energetic individual and had a zest for life. Earth will be missing this special individual. Thoughts and prayers being sent to all of you. Jim and Jan Callahan Barnes (Classmates of Karen)

  7. So sorry for your loss, hugs and prayers for your family. Diane, was a wonderful Sister in BSP. We worked on many committees and she was amazing.Always open for suggestions, and had wonderful ideas herself. She will be missed . Hugs Pam Hoffman

  8. Sincerest condolences for Diane’s family. Please know that Jehovah the God of all comfort cares about our suffering and will help us endure with our pressures (Romans 15:5).


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