ALEXIS - Diana Lynn LaMaster, 74 of Alexis, IL passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 6 at her home surrounded by family after a short battle with cancer.
She was born on March 10, 1948 to Floyd and Evelyn LaMaster of Bishop Hill, IL. Her survivors include one younger sister, Carol Wallace of Woodland Park, CO, three nieces, Denise Wallace of Paris, MO, Janelle Saar of Woodland Park, CO and Ginger (Rodney) Byers of Roseville, IL. She had two great nieces, Brittany Gruber of Hannibal, MO, Taylor Gruber of Troy, MO, and three great nephews, Trentin & Spencer Minks of Paris, MO, and Ryan Byers of Roseville, IL.
Diana graduated from Galva High School and went on to receive her teaching degree from Western Illinois University. She started teaching at Alexis Community School District in 1970 and retired in 2004 teaching only 6th grade for her entire career. She was also the librarian for Alexis Elementary School. Diana touched many kids in her career as a teacher. In addition to spending her days teaching she also took on many other things. Diana spent most of the holiday season making wreaths at her parents’ Christmas tree farm, Elf Tree Farm near Bishop Hill. She owned Alexis Floral Boutique from 1987-1995. Diana became the first President of the Alexis Museum in 1995 and continued in that position off & on through the years until her death. Diana was also a member of the Alexis Ladies League and Lion’s Club as well as serving on the board of the Alexis Community Fund.
Diana loved being creative. After her retirement from teaching, she worked at several different flower shops including Galesburg Flower Company and Blooms by Beck. She really enjoyed the flowers she had in her yard and spent many hours gardening.
Diana, her sister Carol and their parents were instrumental in getting demonstrations started in the Bishop Hill area. They volunteered to do such things as blacksmithing, quilting, candle making, and Diana was the spinner and she still has a spinning wheel sitting in her living room. Diana also helped get a gift shop going in the Steeple Building when she was in college.
Diana was an extremely giving person. She always volunteered to help in any way she could including baking for a bake sale, helping serve food, taking tickets at the gate of an event or being on the board of an organization. Diana loved the Alexis community & left her legacy there. She always wanted to make her town better and from a very young age she volunteered in many ways to make that happen.
Diana was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents and her brother-in-law, Harry Wallace.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, August 11 at Rux Funeral Home in Galva with Pastor Jeff Uddin officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 10 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Bishop Hill Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Alexis Museum, North Henderson Methodist Church or the Alexis Community Fund.
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