Diane DeSmidt

Diane L. DeSmidt, 80, of Humboldt, passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at the Marian Home in Fort Dodge.

Born in Chicago on March 1, 1946 to Jessie and Keith “Ivan” DeSmidt. Diane was preceded in death by her parents, Jessie and “Ivan” DeSmidt, and brother James “Jim” DeSmidt. Diane is survived by her sister-in-law Janet DeSmidt, nephew Daniel DeSmidt, wife Kristi, grand-niece Morgan Geddes, husband David, great-grand-nieces, Nora & Grace Geddes, grand-nephew Tyler DeSmidt, nephew Craig DeSmidt, wife Emily, niece Kimberly DeSmidt and many extended cousins.

From a young age Diane had a strong connection with God - from Sunday School, to singing in the church choir, to serving on a district youth board when she was in high school.

In 1965 she moved to San Francisco to be near her brother Jim and sister-in-law Janet. At a small church she met a group of people who she connected with spiritually. Through their friendship, but privately in her own apartment, she committed her life to Christ on September 1, 1966. From San Francisco she moved to Berkeley, CA to work for a ministry to international students. While she was an active participant in the church for more than 5 years something wasn’t right. She stopped attending the church and made her way back to downtown Chicago, IL where she decided she was going to live like everyone else.

Two and a half years later, while on vacation in 1977 she met a woman, who was a new Christian. Her acquaintance with this woman felt like God renewing her spiritual fervor. When she returned home she found renewed love for God and, not long after, joined seminary. After 5 years of wanting to go to India as a missionary, in 1982 she left for Pakistan. Returning home 2 years later she planned to study to be a missionary, instead she received her Bachelor of Divinity and then finished with her Master of Divinity in 1990. In 1993 she wasn’t having luck finding any openings but as fate would have it she needed to move back to Humboldt, IA to care for her ailing mother. While there she served as an interim Pastor in Lake City and then Eagle Grove. After her mother’s passing she moved back to CA but again, didn’t have luck finding any openings. She finally found a home in Verden, IL where she served as Pastor for 6 years followed by serving as Pastor at the First Baptist Church in Atlantic, IA until her retirement in 2015. More recently Diane found a spiritual family with the First Baptist Church in Fort Dodge, IA.

Diane had many adventures over her lifetime from hay rides when visiting Humboldt, train trips from Iowa to California, and even a road trip with her cousin David to attend her grand-niece’s wedding. Most of the people who she remained in contact with were reminded of their times together by her amazing memory. Even right up to the end she was reminding all of us of the wonderful times we spent with her. Don’t you worry Diane … we won’t forget about you and how you made us feel. Rest in peace in the arms of God. <3

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 13th at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral & Cremation Service in Humboldt. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service, Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Union Cemetery. www.masonlindhart.com