Diana Caroline Schnormeier Riggs Obituary (1935

Diana Riggs, age 87, was born on March 20, 1935 in Marshalltown, Iowa. She, and her twin brother, Theodore Henry Schnormeier, grew up in Hubbard, Iowa where they graduated from Hubbard High School in 1952. They were the only children of August F. and Helene Luiken Schnormeier. Diana attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri where she received an Associate Arts degree in Music. After graduation from Stephens College, Diana enlisted in the Women's Army Corps. She was stationed in Ft. McClellan, Alabama and following basic training was assigned to the 14th Army (WAC) Band. During her two year tour, she was the piano soloist with the Band. She also played piano with the 14 piece dance orchestra, accompanied the chorus and played the glockenspiel in the marching band. The band traveled throughout the south and appeared on national television from New York City. Following her time in the WAC, Diana returned to Columbia, Missouri and enrolled at the University of Missouri, where, in 1959, she was awarded a Bachelor of Music Degree in piano performance. She attended Boston University Graduate School, majoring in organ and sacred music. Diana moved to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, where she met and married Ronald C. Riggs in 1962. The year after their marriage, the Riggs's moved the Aleppo, Syria, where, for three years, they taught at Aleppo College under the auspices of the United Church Board for World Ministries. Returning to the United States in 1966, they moved to St. Louis, Missouri where Ron spent 3 years at Eden Theological Seminary. From there they lived in Ohio, Wheeling, West Virginia, and California until settling in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1984. In 1970 they adopted a baby girl, Helene Marguerite Riggs. Diane began her musical studies on the piano at age 5. When she was 11 (and could reach the pedals) she began studying organ. From the age of 13 until 2015 she played the organ in various churches around the country, as well as functioning as music director for adult and children's choirs for many years. She also directed and participated in several liturgical dance groups. At age 70 she took up the Celtic harp, which she enjoyed playing for many years. From 1984 to 2001 Diana was the Personnel Director at Youth Home, Inc. in Little Rock, AR. In December 2015 the Riggs's moved to Uplands Village in Pleasant Hill, Tennessee. Thinking that she had retired on Easter 2015, Diana happily accepted the position of Director of Music at Pleasant Hill Community Church United Church of Christ. Diana is survived by her husband Ronald Riggs and her twin brother Theodore Henry Schnormeier. She was preceded in death by her parents. A Memorial Service will be held at Pleasant Hill Community Church on a date that has yet to be determined.