In loving memory of

Dianna Stafford
November 12, 1950 - December 18, 2020

Dianna Elizabeth Stafford, age 70, of Monroe, passed away Dec 18th, 2020 at MercyOne in Des Moines. Memorial services will be held at Coburn Funeral home in Monroe, IA on 2/6/21 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm. Condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of any memorial gifts, the family has asked that a donation be made to the Monroe Fire & Rescue on their behalf.

Dianna was born on Nov 12th, 1950 in Ottumwa, IA to Marvin & Opal (Sloan) Wilkinson of Ottumwa, IA. Where she lived with her family and graduated from Ottumwa High School.
She married Robert (Bob) Stafford on April 4th, 1969 in Albia, IA.

Dianna worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield in Des Moines for 29 years. After retiring from BCBS, she went to work at Delta Dental for 18 years. She then retired in 2015.

Dianna enjoyed spending time with her family. Dianna was a fan of Des Moines Buccaneers Hockey and enjoyed cooking for her family and friends.

Dianna is survived by her husband Robert (Bob) Stafford, son Joshua (Ellie) Stafford, grandchildren Sabrina and Ethan Stafford and many Nieces, Nephews and other family members. She was preceded in death by her parents Marvin & Opal, her twin boys Todd & Jamie & her daughter Jodi.

Tributes

Dana Rosendahl wrote on Mar 17, 2021:

"I worked with Dianna for several years. She was a superb employee, and a very very nice person to know. Rest In Peace, Dianna. Dana Rosendahl"

Kellie Jones (formerly Wilkinson) wrote on Jan 26, 2021:

"It has been my privilege to call this wonderful lady "Mom" for most of my life and I am so grateful for her compassion, love, and open arms. She already had so many challenges and still she took in 2 little girls to add to her many cares, not just once, but yet a second time after we had been away long enough for them to get their family life back to normal and still she opened her heart and home again. Mom faithfully cared for her dad, even after he had passed away...she was just the one who looked after everyone, a lady of stability. With her family all grown up, Mom was an understanding ear to my challenges of raising children at all stages and such an encourager, letting me know that I'm doing okay with mine, even when I can't see it. My husband, Jason, is still amazed that she always loved and accepted him, too. Our sons, Marvin (22), Mark (20), Marshall (19), and Martin (16), regret that we did not spend more time with their grandma, she was so much fun and loved each one! I enjoyed it when she would share about her parents and always did so with such fondness. There are so many things I love and miss about Mom: when she would take days off of work to be with us, maybe baking pies before a holiday; our special time together was wrapping gifts and chatting in her room; how she taught us to return everything in better shape than we borrowed it; the time she filled a cookbook with recipes just for me as I was moving out; the letters she wrote to me, offering help if ever I needed it, when I was a young adult trying to make a start; the things she gave me because she knew I needed them, always just at the right time; calling her nearly every holiday to ask the same questions again, "I know I asked you this last year, but how do I make that dish again?"; our deeper discussions about heart issues and forgiveness...just to name a few. I am very blessed to have a mom who was always there for me anytime I wanted to reach out to her! :) Fondly, Kellie Jones "

Cathy Whitlatch wrote on Jan 21, 2021:

"I am so very sorry to hear of Dianna and Jodi's passing - they were both terrific ladies. I worked with them at Delta Dental - I was lucky to know them, work with them, and consider both of them friends. My prayers are with you all. Cathy Whitlatch "

Kelly Tripp wrote on Jan 18, 2021:

"My favorite memory of Dianne is of her drinking sweet tea in a hammock, singing along to the Eagles with her beautiful long brown hair. I love you. All my love to Bob and Josh. Kelly (Jefferson) Tripp"

Kyle Bunce wrote on Jan 18, 2021:

"I am so sad to hear of Dianna and Jodi passing away. They were wonderful friends. They were great to work with at both Wellmark and Delta Dental. We all loved hockey and watching the BUCS play. We drove all over to their out of town games. We went to National tournaments I Detroit, Billings and Lincoln. We talked and laughed all the way. I loved them both."