Dian Hoven

Dian (a.k.a. Sis) (Oberg) Hoven of Colton, South Dakota died June 18, 2024 in Sheldon, Iowa at the Senior Care Center. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 at 10:30 AM in Colton at the First Lutheran Church. A private burial will take place at a later date at the Colton Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Friday, Sept. 20th from 5 to 7 PM at the Colton Minnehaha Funeral Chapel. 

Dian was born February 20, 1931 in Sioux Falls to Floyd and Georgina (Williamsons) Oberg. At a young age, her family moved to a farm near Colton and she was baptized in 1944 at United Methodist Church of Colton. She attended Country School and graduated from Humboldt High School in 1948. That same year Dian married her husband of 55 years, Howard Hoven. The couple had six children but there was always room for more around the table and it wasn’t uncommon to have ten or more for a meal. Howard and Dian raised more than just their own children and never seemed to mind. The family moved several times over the years but returned to Colton in 1977 when Dian began working for the local elevator, retiring after nineteen years in 1996. 

During their years in Colton, Howard and Dian became faithful members of the First Lutheran Church. Following Howard’s death, Dian would also frequently attend the First Methodist Church on Sunday mornings. You could call it dual membership and she enjoyed both church families. She was the mayor of Colton for a few years and worked on the committee for Taopi Hall Community Center, taking calls and bookings for upcoming functions as well as helping with many other community events. 

Dian served on the Sioux Valley Energy Electrical Board as Chief Financial Officer for eleven years and enjoyed the many challenges of the job, the educational opportunities offered and friendships made while in that position. Following her service on the Board she continued to be invited and attend many meetings until the age of 91. 

Family was a very important part of Dian’s life and gatherings with her children and grandchildren at her home proved to be a very special time for all. She would spend days cooking and preparing to ensure the comfort and care of all. She always had enough food for 20 extras ... just in case. She enjoyed entertaining and hosting many holiday events and luncheons for friends and neighbors over the years ... setting the table with every item possible in the China hutch. (We think she may have been an event planner in another life.) 

One of the biggest highlights each year for Dian was hosting the annual summer “Colton Tea Party”. For 40 years neighborhood children came to her home where she made her backyard a special place just for them with balloons, bubbles, games and snacks. The children and adults were able to dress up in their best to attend. Invitations were not sent out but she would "put the word out" of the date and at times up to 30 or 40 people of all ages would come. Some came early to help set up the yard with tables, teacups and all the extras. It became a wonderful memory for many generations of children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, parents and grandparents. A community member must have contacted the local news station about the annual event and the Tea Party was highlighted last year by KELOLAND News when Dian was 92. 

While she may have retired from working a job, she never spent a day where she wasn't busy going .... even following a South Dakota snowstorm. She was blessed to have an inside connection to get her driveway plowed compliments of Colton Redi-Mix and their equipment. They always obliged when her call came in around 5 or 6 AM. Most days started in the early morning hours with a stop at the Redi-Mix plant to catch up and have a cup of coffee. She would often take time to visit those at the Colton Senior Living facility to share a cup of coffee and conversation, if only for a few minutes. It was not uncommon to find Dian helping at the local churches with quilting or newsletters, volunteering at Sanford Medical Gift Shop or making and delivering food throughout the community with her specialty being the famous “banana bread”. That famous banana bread was sometimes used for bartering or currency and was shared many times with the bank, post office, lumberyard, beauty shop, auto repair shop and, of course, the Redi-Mix plant. Each loaf was baked with love and generosity and the number distributed throughout the years could circle the earth. 

Dian never knew a stranger and would indulge in a good conversation with anyone. Her hobbies and likes involved traveling worldwide with family and friends, fishing in Canada and at the lake, camping, snowmobiling and, of course most importantly, attending family events. She always enjoyed having something planned to look forward to. 

Dian lived in her own home until the age of 92 thanks to the help of many in the Colton community including nieces, nephews, siblings, other family and many great friends and neighbors. If she didn’t show up at the beauty shop for her appointment or the daily regular stops many in town were checking on her. Dian loved the Colton community and appreciated everyday the concern and care of so many. Small towns are great! 

Due to health issues in August, 2023, Dian moved to Sheldon, Iowa to live with her daughter Joy and son-in-law Rich Letner. The priceless 24-hour care she received was like no other and she was very fortunate to have such a loving place to be. Dian’s family named Joy and Rich’s home “Shady Pines” as many family and friends often came to stay during the ten months she was there. They made everyone feel welcome and there are strong suggestions being made of Joy and Rich building on to accommodate the rest of the family in the future. 

On June 12, Dian was admitted to Sheldon Care Center Hospice and passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 18, 2024. 

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Susan (Allan) Knops, Sarasota, Florida; Pam Colling, Manning, Iowa; Mike Hoven, Matlock, Iowa; Joy (Rich) Letner, Sheldon, Iowa; Kim (Pat) Udermann, Foley, Minnesota; niece, Joann (Eddie) Walsh, Casper, Wyoming; 16 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and 7 great, great grandchildren; brother, Jim (Marge) Oberg; sisters-in-law Shirley Johnson, Pauline Ellefson, Madlyn Hoven and Janet Davis; many nieces and nephews; special friend Phyllis Swier and many other great friends and neighbors. 

Preceding her in death were: husband Howard, parents Floyd and Georgie Oberg, son Paul, daughter-in-law Madelynn Hoven, son-in-law Ron Colling, granddaughter Sarah Seivert, brother Don Oberg, sisters-in-law Wanda Oberg, LaVonne Haworth, Darlene Grocott, Helen Ellefson and Gladys Hoven; brothers-in-law Robert Hoven, Dennis Hoven, Perry Ellefson, Rod Ellefson, Alan Davis, Jerome Johnson and Bud Grocott. 

The family would like to thank everyone for their kindness to Dian and our family through the years and invite you to join us for lunch after the service. Per Dian’s request, there will be an option of funeral meat (aka: ham salad) served as well as other choices at Taopi Hall in Colton following the service. Memorials are preferred and may be given to City of Colton Swimming Pool Fund or Colton Fire and Rescue.