Diane Kay (Horak) Richards
Diane Kay (Horak) Richards
Cedar Rapids
Diane Kay (Horak) Richards, 64, of Cedar Rapids, died peacefully Monday, July 3, 2023, while surrounded by her loving family. The funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Saint Wenceslaus Catholic Church by Father Dennis Conway. Burial will follow at Saint John’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home East, 1228 Second St. SE, where a vigil service will begin at 3:30 p.m.
Diane was born Aug. 28, 1958, in Cedar Rapids, to George Sr. and Betty (Guinn) Horak. She graduated from nursing at Kirkwood Community College in 1977 and after the completion of her LPN boards she moved to Mohawk, Tenn., where she worked at Laughlin Hospital in Greenville, Tenn. Diane married George J. Richards on Oct. 17, 1981, at Saint Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. The couple returned to Cedar Rapids where they shared 42 years together. During that time they were blessed with two children, Kristy and David.
Diane continued her career as a nurse at Saint Luke’s Hospital on the skilled and rehab unit until 1998 when her career shifted from nursing to childcare for her own family and extended family members. Diane loved to provide daycare for her own children, niece, great-nephews and grandsons.
Diane was a giving person when it came to her family. She could take two pennies and turn them into a dollar with her ability to save money for a rainy day. During her free time, Diane enjoyed gardening, canning produce from the garden, camping, sewing, and meeting with family for breakfast every weekend. Diane was proud of both of her children and adored her grandchildren. She enjoyed supporting them in their school activities and sporting events.
Diane was a lifelong member of Saint Wenceslaus Catholic Church. She was also a member of Cadets of Saint George Branch W045, F.C.S.L.A. (formerly Catholic Workman).
Diane is survived by her husband, George J. Richards; children, Kristy Richards (fiancé Dwayne Behrens Sr.) and David (Kelsey) Richards; three grandchildren, Dylan Bower, Nolan Bower and Rylee Richard,s all of Cedar Rapids; siblings, George (Lora) Horak of Olin, Deb Pesek of Cedar Rapids, Donna (Randy) Novak of Cedar Rapids and Denise (Patrick) Melchert of Mount Vernon; brother and sister-in-laws, Herbert (Wanda) Richards, Mary “Ruth” (Lloyd) Morelock and Jean (Heath) Varady all of Greenville, Tenn., and numerous nieces and nephews.
Diane was preceded in death by her parents, George and Betty Horak; father-in-law, Elmer Richards; mother-in-law, Atlas Peters; brother-in-law, Terry Pesek; and sister-in-law, June Starnes.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.