Feb. 13, 1946 - Jul. 17, 2025
Date of Service: Jul. 25, 2025
Watch the Webcast
Service Program
Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, and Friend
Oakley, Idaho
With hearts full of love and profound sorrow, we share in the passing of our cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Diann McLaws Severe, who peacefully returned to her Heavenly Father on July 17, 2025, at the age of 79, following a valiant and grace-filled year-long battle with cancer. She departed this life surrounded by the devoted love of her family—her constant companions in both joy and adversity—leaving behind a legacy of unwavering faith, boundless compassion, and quiet, enduring strength.
Born on February 13, 1946, in Burley, Idaho, Diann was the eldest daughter of Joseph Junior “JJ” McLaws and Sarah Joyee Clark McLaws. She was raised in the close-knit and deeply rooted community of Oakley, where her vibrant personality and radiant smile began to brighten the lives of others from a young age. Alongside her beloved siblings—Corinne, Steven, and Josette—Diann learned the values of hard work, kindness, and service—virtues that would become the bedrock of her character.
In high school, Diann was a spirited cheerleader and a proud Drill Mistress, leading with both enthusiasm and poise. She also worked at the local Oakley Arctic Café, where her youthful laughter and warmth made lasting impressions on everyone she served and worked beside. Her energy and grace were matched only by her sincere desire to uplift others.
After high school, Diann pursued business studies at Stevens-Henager Business School in Salt Lake City, Utah. But her heart had always belonged to one person—her high school sweetheart, Robert Gene Severe. When he returned from serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Australia, their love story took its next sacred step, as they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple on April 22, 1965. Their union was a beautiful tapestry of enduring love, shared purpose, and deep devotion that would stretch across six decades.
Together, Diann and Robert built a life of adventure, faith, and family. In the early years of marriage, they lived in Yoakum, Texas; Eugene, Oregon; and San Juan Batista, California—each move a new chapter filled with challenge and opportunity. Through it all, Diann was the steady anchor of their growing family, creating loving homes filled with warmth, laughter, and the comforting smell of her home-cooked meals. She gracefully supported Robert’s career as a traveling salesman while raising their first two children with quiet resilience and deep love.
In 1972, the family returned home to the Oakley Valley, where they laid down lasting roots in the soil of their heritage. It was during this season that Robert followed his calling to become a folk-art western saddle maker, eventually gaining admiration and recognition for his intricate craftsmanship worldwide. Diann stood faithfully by his side—not only as his wife but as his greatest supporter and source of inspiration. Her deep belief in his talent, her steady encouragement, and her quiet devotion helped bring his creative vision to life. Whether managing the home, helping in the business, or celebrating each finished piece with pride, she was the heart behind the art. Their partnership was a shining example of what it means to nurture one another’s dreams.
Alongside her support for her husband’s craft, Diann dedicated herself to her community. She served with dignity and determination as the head lab technician at Del Monte and later worked for over 22 years in the Cassia County School District, as well as Cassia Memorial Hospital. In every role, she brought warmth, excellence, and compassion to those she served.
A lifelong and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Diann quietly embodied the principles of discipleship. Her service spanned across Relief Society, Young Women, Sunday School, and Primary. Whether teaching a lesson, preparing a meal, or simply offering a listening ear, she ministered with humility and grace. Her selfless acts of kindness, given freely and without fanfare, left an eternal imprint on all who knew her.
Diann found her greatest joy in the simple, beautiful rhythms of family life. She cherished holiday traditions, quiet weeknight dinners, and lively Dutch oven cookouts on the ranch. She was a gifted cook, a devoted mother and grandmother, and a woman who drew strength and serenity from the beauty of the land she loved. Her favorite saying, “Big city life isn’t for me,” spoke volumes about her peaceful spirit and love for the country.
Earlier this year, Diann and Robert celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary—a sacred milestone that stands as a testament to their steadfast love, mutual respect, and shared journey of faith.
Diann is survived by her beloved husband, Robert; their six treasured children, David Brent Severe (Layton, Utah), Suzette (Patrick) Rodgers (Burley, Idaho), Robert Kurt “Robbie” Severe (Rancho Mirage, California), Daric (Amanda) Severe (Oakley, Idaho), Gena (Joel) Peterson (Providence, Utah), and Breann (Zach) Shearer (Boise, Idaho). She was the proud and adoring grandmother to 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, each of whom she loved deeply and unconditionally. She is survived by her siblings, Steven McLaws (Eagle, Idaho) and Josette Moultrie (Burley, Idaho), and additional family members.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, JJ and Joyee McLaws; and her sister, Corinne Denney.
Diann’s life was a beautiful symphony of love, faith, and service. She taught us—by quiet example—how to live with purpose, how to endure with courage, and how to love without limits. Her influence will ripple through generations, and her memory will remain a warm and guiding light in our hearts forever.
The family extends their deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to the Huntsman Cancer Institute and Dr. Kathryn Maurer for the exceptional care, compassion, and dignity they provided to Diann throughout her journey. Their kindness brought peace not only to Diann, but to each of us who walked beside her through this sacred chapter of her life.
A funeral service to honor and celebrate Diann’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 25, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Oakley Stake Center, located at 355 N. Center St., in Oakley. Burial will follow at Oakley Cemetery. All who knew her are welcome to attend and pay tribute to the extraordinary woman whose life was a quiet and powerful testament to love, faith, and family.
Family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Friday, at the church, preceding the funeral service.
A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/O7X1JNMvgqY.
