Diana Marie Rhoades

Diana Marie Rhoades, 80, of Idaho Falls, passed away November 20, 2025, at her home.

Our mom was born September 24, 1945, in Blackfoot, Idaho, to Alton and Marie McDaniel, the second of seven children. She loved living on her family’s dairy farm, and she loved her brothers and sisters. Growing up, she had a few mishaps, like throwing all of her ward’s baseball equipment in the Blackfoot River, but mostly she was an angel. In her family she learned faith, diligence, hard work and integrity. From her mom she learned to bake delicious bread and rolls. This was a much appreciated skill mom shared generously.

Mom attended Blackfoot High School graduating in 1963. During her senior year, mom was crowned Idaho’s Junior Miss. She traveled with her parents to the national pageant in Mobile, Alabama. She treasured this time with her parents and spoke of it often.

In 1965, Mom was introduced to our dad, Ron. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple. Together they raised five children. The fun part is that they had David, Elizabeth and Benjamin, then there was a nine year gap, and then they were blessed with Emily and Samuel. The two youngest were the sweetest surprises!

Mom LOVED her family. She was a happy, devoted mom; she wanted us to have every good thing. A favorite memory happened in the late 1970's. One spring, Dad and Mom got an income tax refund. There was enough money to either put air conditioning in the car or to buy a trampoline. They held a family vote, and we played on the trampoline for years. Mom was pretty fearless. She liked speed and often drove too fast. Both Ben and Sam remember high speed drives with Mom where fast was never fast enough. She liked driving and she really liked to go on drives with Dad. She also courageously hiked up the face of Table Rock and down Huckleberry Canyon.

Mom loved us best, but she also loved her home and garden, flowers (if you wanted to make Mom smile, you only had to bring her a flower), sitting by the river, handwork (Mom loved sewing and crafting. Her cross-stitch projects have blessed her home and the homes of many loved ones for years), family history, and music. She loved to sing and was grateful to sing “Messiah” every Christmas as a member of the Oratorio Society of Utah.

Mom also loved our Savior, Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where she served with love and faith. She worked to develop Christ-like attributes and was an excellent example of forgiveness and of seeing the one. She always made the effort to smile, to lift and to make a friend. She had the cutest sense of humor. As her health declined, she had trouble opening wrappers. She always had a nearby candy dish. When we asked to have a candy, she would say, “Of course, and you can give me one too.”

Mom is lovingly survived by her husband, Ron; her kids David (Maria), Elizabeth (Norman), Ben (Lauri), Em (Anthony), and Sam (Beth); 21 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; her siblings Paul, Mike (Doreen), Madalone (Blair) and Carol.

She has been joyfully reunited with her parents, Alton and Marie; brothers, Stanley and Arlin; and great-grandson David.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Avenue. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to services. Burial will be in the Ucon Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Primary Children’s Hospital.