Obituary

Diann Morgan Peyton
Diann Morgan Peyton

June 12, 1948 - January 26, 2025
Born in Cedar Falls, Iowa
Resided in Des Moines, Iowa
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Obituary

Diann Morgan Peyton of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away peacefully at Kavanagh House, an EveryStep residential hospice facility, on January 26, 2025, after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke three weeks prior. She was 76.

Diann was born on June 12, 1948, to Paul and Beulah Morgan in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Diann graduated from Janesville High School in 1966. In 1970, she received a degree in Secondary Education from Iowa State University. She continued her education and received a Masters Degree in Special Education and School Administration from Drake University. Diann taught in the Des Moines Public School district for 38 years and retired as a Des Moines School Principal at Orchard Place School in 2007. She was proud to be, and loved being, an educator.

She met Dean, her husband of 54 years, at Iowa State University. Together, they built a wonderful life, raising two children, Chris and Allison, and pursuing professional careers they loved. They cherished their Wednesday night date nights, quiet Saturday mornings with coffee at Zanzibar’s when in town, and evenings playing games over cocktails—keeping a game journal of wins and losses (Diann led by 27 games at the time of her passing; she was both skilled and fiercely competitive). Diann and Dean loved entertaining friends at their homes in Des Moines and Clear Lake. Diann especially treasured her monthly “Girls Group” gatherings and countless rounds of golf with her golfing buddies. They excelled in retirement, traveling extensively and visiting six of the seven continents, immersing themselves in different cultures, and celebrating the diversity of the world.

Diann was considered the “rock” to her immediate and extended family. Known for her independence, directness, confidence, and sense of fun, she was a source of guidance and strength for everyone around her. Whenever someone complained about something going wrong, her go-to advice was, “Buck up and get over it.” Diann often told Dean that she loved him “100%, about 97% of the time”. Dean thought that was generous. She will be dearly missed by her large family and many friends.

Diann was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Beulah, her stepmother, Irene, two brothers, Larry and Gaylin, and sister, Janice. She is survived by her beloved husband Dean, son Chris, daughter Allison (Nick) Greif, and three grandchildren: Collins, Lennon, and Holden. Also surviving her are brother Denny, five sisters: Joyce, twin Dinah, Michelle, Lorraine, and Paula, as well as many nieces, nephews and many wonderful friends.
Dean, Chris, Allison, and Diann's extended family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the quality, professionalism and compassionate care provided by the teams at Mercy Hospital’s Neuro Trauma ICU and Kavanagh Hospice House.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to EveryStep Foundation, 3000 Easton Blvd., Des Moines, IA 50317. Please include a note indicating the donation is in honor of Diann. All contributions will support efforts to enhance end-of-life care at the Kavanagh House.

A celebration of life will be held at a future date. Diann found her joy in family and travel; and her family asks that you do the same.

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Services

Funeral Home
Iles Dunn's Chapel
2121 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA US 50312
2025-02-17T