Dr. Diana Lee Messick

Dr. Diana Lee Messick, age 79, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed away September 11, 2026 in Sioux Falls, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of family, education, leadership, service, and mentorship.

Visitation with the family present will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls. Her memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026, also at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Translator's of Culture.

Diana was born on October 27, 1946, in Huron, South Dakota, to Kenneth E. Powell and Lolah (Leslie) Powell. Diana experienced loss at a very young age when her mother died when she was just three years old. Her father later married Jean Powell, who became Diana’s stepmother.

Born and raised in Huron, Diana began what would become a remarkable career in education there in the late 1970s. She worked in Huron’s middle school and helped establish the district’s alternative education school. While raising her two daughters as a single mother, Diana continued her own education, earning her Master’s degree in School Counseling and Administration from the University of South Dakota in 1978.

In 1987, Diana moved to Moab, Utah, where she served as an elementary and middle school principal. She returned to South Dakota in 1993 and became principal of Whittier Middle School in Sioux Falls, a position she held for 17 years. Never one to stop learning or challenging herself, Diana earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of South Dakota in 1999.

Following her years at Whittier, Diana was selected to become the founding principal of Sioux Falls New Technology High School, known as New Tech. There, she continued her commitment to innovation in education and became a passionate advocate for project-based learning.

Retirement never really suited Diana.

After retiring from K-12 education, she continued to teach, mentor, volunteer, and advocate for education throughout South Dakota and beyond. Through her work with the University of South Dakota, Diana helped prepare aspiring principals and superintendents for educational leadership.

Her commitment to others extended far beyond schools. Throughout her life, Diana served on numerous boards and community organizations, including Volunteers of America, the YMCA, and United Way. She also served as President of Translators of Culture in Sioux Falls, reflecting her deep commitment to diversity, inclusion, and creating a stronger community for everyone.

Outside of her professional accomplishments, Diana had an adventurous spirit and a deep love for seeing the world. Travel brought her immense joy, especially when shared with those she loved most. Among her absolute favorite journeys were her memorable trips to Italy with her husband and close friends, where they immersed themselves in culture, laughter, and great food. Equally sacred to her were her adventures in France with her daughters and grandchildren—creating unforgettable family memories wandering through charming streets, sharing meals, and experiencing the beauty of the world together.

Above all her achievements, Diana’s greatest joy and fiercest pride was her family. Her devotion to her daughters was absolute; raising them instilled in them the same strength, integrity, and passion for leadership that defined her own life. That love expanded exponentially with the arrival of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she adored beyond measure.

Her family was her greatest accomplishment, and the example she set inspired the generations that followed. Her daughters carried on her dedication to education and leadership: Lisa became a high school teacher, and Sheri became a school district superintendent. Her influence continued into the next generation, with a granddaughter entering the school counseling profession and another becoming an early childhood teacher.

Diana seemed to know someone everywhere she went. Traveling throughout South Dakota—and often into neighboring states—it was nearly impossible for her to go somewhere without encountering a former student, educator, colleague, school leader, or community member whose life she had touched. She was passionate, determined, generous with her knowledge, and always willing to go above and beyond to help someone in need.

Diana is survived by her husband, James R. Maloney; her daughters, Sheri Kopka of Mercer, Wisconsin, and Lisa (Craig) Nelson of Lonsdale, Minnesota; her stepson, Jim (Sara) A. Maloney of Harrisburg; her grandchildren, Amanda (Troy) Kopka of Park Falls, Wisconsin, Ashley (Mason) Niederkorn of Forest Lake, Minnesota, Kassandra Bell of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Samantha Nelson and Alex Nelson of Lonsdale, Minnesota; step-granddaughter Abby (Nick) Maloney of Sioux Falls, and her great-granddaughters, Amelia and Sofia Niederkorn of Forest Lake, Minnesota.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth E. Powell and Lolah (Leslie) Powell; her stepmother, Jean Powell; her brother, James Powell; and her stepdaughter, Jennifer Maloney.

Diana spent more than four decades shaping education, developing leaders, strengthening communities, and encouraging people to see possibilities in themselves that they may not have seen before. Her titles included teacher, counselor, principal, professor, mentor, advocate, traveler, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. But her true legacy cannot be captured by titles.

It lives in the countless students she encouraged, the educators she inspired, the school leaders she mentored, the communities she served, the vibrant memories of the places she explored, and most of all, the family she loved so deeply.

Her influence will continue for generations.