Date Of Birth: November 16, 1972
Date Of Death: September 19, 2006
Dianna Lynn Woodward, 33, departed this life Sept. 19, 2006 after a long battle with cancer. Dianna was born Nov. 16, 1972 in Ord, Ne. She spent her first years on the family farm north of Scotia, Ne. until the family moved to Elba, Ne. in 1975 where she began her school years. During those formative years, she showed her natural leadership skills by becoming the star of class plays and dazzling her teachers and fellow students with her maturity, intellect, and her amazing attitude toward learning. She became a member of Grace Baptist Church in St. Paul where she accepted Christ as her personal savior and was baptized there at the age of seven. She never wavered in her faith and security of a life forever with her God.The family moved to Grand Island, Ne. in 1984 where she attended Barr Junior High. Later the family moved to West Des Moines, Iowa and then in the fall of 1989 to Westerville, OH. Here she finished her high school education and graduated fourth in her class at Westerville South in 1991. One of her lifetime goals was to attend a Christian college where she could develop skill to start her career and further her Christian education. She attended and graduated from cum laude from Taylor University in the spring of 1995 with a B.S. degree in Business Systems.She immediately began working for Accenture in Indianapolis writing software for the State of Indiana Department of Revenue for nearly five years. During her time with the firm she progressed quickly with very high evaluations, becoming an executive. During her ten and a half year tenure with Accenture, she managed software projects in Hartford, Conn. and Carson City, Nevada, and also had the opportunity to kick off a project for the Canberra Department of Revenue in Australia. Dianna will be remembered for positive attitude and ability to persevere with class, integrity, and respect. She cherished most the relationships she held so dear with family, friends, and coworkers.She is survived by her parents Harold and Rita Woodward of Jefferson City, MO, brother Justin, sister-in-law Janelle and their 10 month old son Cole of Chicago, IL, and brothers Matthew and Brian also from Jefferson City. Grandmothers Marian Woodward of Jefferson City and Mary Jane Hansen of Scotia, NE and a host of friends and relatives. She was preceded in death by her Grandfathers Virgil Woodward and Duane Hansen as well as Aunt Susan Petrick.
Kit and JoAnne Royer says
I can not immagine what you are experiencing, but I know that our Lord does. I know he holds your hands at this time and Dianna is free tonight in his loving arms along with her family there. If there is anything we can do, please don’t hesitate to ask. Kit is in Arkansas and I just couldn’t find a way up there, or you know we would both be there. God bless you as you travel this path. We love you.
Julie and Chris Booth says
Dianna was such a wonderful, loving, and giving person. She was well respected by everyone below her, above her and peer to her. She was always so up-beat and held her own in tough situations. She had impeccable style. I loved shopping with her or talking about the latest shopping spree. I’ll never forget when during a serious meeting, one of the women at IDOR interrupted to ask Dianna how she did her hair. We all laughed. Her intelligence, great demeanor, and personal style made Dianna a pure pleasure to be with. She was a great friend. We will miss Dianna greatly in so many ways.
Donna Johnson Janes says
I’m so sorry for the suffering and illness of Dianna! I’m thankful that she is really HOME and I know she wouldn’t want to return to this earth for any reason! I pray for the pain and loss of all of her family – I love you, Rita and know God will comfort in difficult days!
Donna
Pamela says
My sister, Stephanie was a roommate of Dianna’s at Taylor. I remember her always having a smile on her face and a big laugh when I would go down to visit. May your memories of her bring a smile to your heart as your mourn her loss on this earth but rejoice in her presence with her Lord. Blessing to your family. Pam Kistler
Cathy Huiras says
My heart feels very sad that I can no longer see you, but I find comfort knowing you are in no pain, and that you are in the loving arms of our Lord.
We’ll miss you very much.
Love,
Cathy and Will Huiras
Bob Betty Beth and Janet says
We will always have fond memories of Dianna as a little girl and later as the lovely young women with the beautiful heart that she became. Though we can not be with you, we continue to keep you in our hearts and prayers as you celebrate Dianna’s life and forever cherish her memory. Love Uncle Bob, Aunt Betty, Beth, Janet and families.
Anne Smith says
Dianna and I were friends at Taylor! What fond memories I have of her. She was always so sweet and just so much fun to be around. I know you are missing her more than I can imagine. I’m praying for you all. God bless!
Mary K Waters says
You shall be sadly missed-rest in Peace my friend.
Charlene Swanson says
Dear Harold, Rita, and family,
I am at a loss for words…my heart aches for you…your loss is greater than I can comprehend. Dianna was such a beautiful and gracious person, even through such pain and struggles as she has endured these past months. You are continually in our thoughts and prayers as you go through these most difficult of days. Some of our Bible study group will see you in Scotia on Sunday. We love you all so much.
Love, Charlene
Kay Ryle says
Dear Rita and Harold,
I wish so much that I could be there with you and give you a hug and my love. Dianna lived with such grace and enthusiasm. I didn’t even know her, but I know she was a great lady, and I send my prayers and love to you. May God give you peace and comfort.
Love, Kay Ryle
Heather Waliczek Moritz says
Diana and I were PA’s together at Taylor. What fond memories I have of her in English Hall. . .she was always laughing, smiling and of course being a leader. My heart mourns for your family, but how wonderful it is to know that Diana is pain free and with her Heavenly Father!
John Mildred Benson says
We wanted you to know that we have had you all in our prayers for sometime and will continue.This is a great loss for you but you have all the blessings Dianna has given you through the years to get you through. God will help heal all of you, and He has His loving arms around her now in heaven. We wish we could be at the service but will have to be thinking of you instead.
Lots of love,
John, Mildred & families
David and Sheryl Scott says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family in your loss. We feel bad that we won’t be able to attend the services, but wanted to let you know we were thinking of you.
Stephanie Downton says
My thoughts & prayers are with you all.
-Steph (RN on 5 North – University Hospital)
Ann Rettie says
Dianna was one of a kind. She was a friend, role model and mentor for many people at Accenture and we will miss her warmth and gentle sense of humor. Dianna had an exceptionally calm demeanor–she never lost her cool, no matter how stressful the situation.
Dianna also had a great sense of style, wearing bright fuschia or turquoise to the office when many others stuck to “safe” colors. Dianna didn’t hesitate to shake things up a bit in her own low-key way.
Dianna’s impact will far outlast her time with us.
Ellen Mortensen says
Carolyn; I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers each day.
Ellen