Jody L. Diestelmeier, age 57, passed away on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Jody was born on September 4, 1968, to “Andy” William and Sandra (Loppnow) Gums. She married Gene on January 16, 1999, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lena.

Jody worked for Swiss Colony for 29 years as a baker. In more recent years she worked at Lena Living Center (Serenity Estates of Lena) as a dietary aide and assisted with cleaning.

She was outgoing, caring, and wonderfully competitive. She especially enjoyed playing cards, but nothing brought her greater joy than spending time with her family. She traveled to see them whenever she could and was always just a phone call away, regularly checking in to make sure everyone was doing well. Jody was a very devoted mother and grandmother, and her family could always count on receiving a message from her reminding them how much she loved them. She spent many hours at her “Captain’ s” Chair in the kitchen or enjoying the outdoors on the deck. She loved her two dogs Ranger and Radar. Her devotion to her family will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Jody is survived by her husband Gene; her two children- Kyle Runkle and Casey (Ryan) Bartz; two granddaughters- Rory and Avery; 6 sisters- Margie (Craig) Bowers, Wendy (Craig) Kubatzke, Wanda Gums, Beth (Juan) Martinez, Lori (Rip) Huenefeld and Trisha (Mike) Siegmeier; as well as many loved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings- Angie Jogerst, Suzette Gums and William Gums, and nephew Josh Gums.

Cremation rites have been accorded.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.