Diane M. Schemmel, 79, of Waupeton, Iowa, passed away peacefully Friday, July 3, 2026, at Stonehill Assisi Village Assisted Living Facility in Dubuque, Iowa.

A private funeral service for immediate family will be held at North Buena Vista, Immaculate Conception Church at a later date. Burial will take place in the Church Cemetery. Leonard Funeral Home and Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Rd, is assisting the family.

Diane was born on June 22, 1947, in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of Nicholas and Marie (Simon) Merfeld. She attended Dubuque Senior High School and graduated in 1965. She would go on to marry the love of her life Donald A. (Pops) Schemmel on October 29, 1966, at St. Joseph the Worker Parish. He preceded her in death on May 14, 2026, after 59 years of marriage. The family is comforted knowing they will be together once again.

She worked for ARA Food Services at John Deere Dubuque Works for 20+ years. She also worked for Medical Associates as a Patient Associate “greeter”, she said that she enjoyed seeing individuals as they entered the building for their appointments.

Diane loved spending time with family and friends and taking long afternoon pontoon rides on the river. She was an avid gardener who loved canning fruits and vegetables. She was famous for her homemade sweet pickle relish, sauerkraut, and tomato juice.

She is survived by her three children: Rodney (Dawn) Schemmel of Dubuque, Lisa (Joe) Rettenmeier of Dubuque, and Lynette (Dane) Wilwert of North Buena Vista, Iowa; grandchildren: Ashley (Justin) Becker and Jacob (Emily) Schemmel of Cascade, Lukas and Joshua (Summer) Rettenmeier of Dubuque, Dustin (Emily) Wilwert, Tyler (Brianna Krum) Wilwert, Addison Wilwert of North Buena Vista, Iowa; great-grandchildren: Dason, Paxton, and Lennox Wilwert, Bexleigh Becker, and Truett Rettenmeier; siblings, Millie (Randy) Dolter, David Merfeld, Eldon (Connie) Merfeld, Carol Miller, Shirley Smith, Adele Merfeld, and Pat Merfeld; siblings-in-law, Elsie Payton, Joyce Tigges, Marge Schemmel, Joe (Diane) Schemmel, Tony Schemmel, Bob (Cindy) Schemmel, Coralee Schaumburg, and Chuck (Sharon) Schemmel.

Diane is preceded in death by her husband, Donald; her parents, Nicholas and Marie; siblings, Bernard, Bill, Larry, Merlin (Mary) Merfeld and Dorothy (Martin) Tigges; siblings-in-law, Bill Smith and Sue Merfeld.

We are so thankful to the people who made life easier for the Schemmel Family at the end of Diane’s life. Those individuals include Hospice caregivers-Betsy, Tammy, and Michelle. Friends: Jim Osterburger, Tom Brimeyer (Balltown), and Dale and Mary Doty. Her grandchildren who stayed with grandma during her final days: Lukas Rettenmeier, Tyler and Addison Wilwert, and Jacob Schemmel. We also wanted to say a special thank you to the staff at Stonehill Assisi Village for making her comfortable. Her gentle spirit and kindness will be missed.