Deanna Kathleen Gardner, 74, the daughter of Lynn and Edena (Eakins) Garman was born March 25, 1949, in Superior, Nebraska. She died Jan. 4, 2024, at her home in De Soto, Kansas.
She enjoyed being a cheerleader and playing softball during her educational years at Burr Oak schools. After graduation in 1967, she attended Manhattan Bible College and later took classes at Brown Mackie and Washburn of Topeka.
Deanna was united in marriage to William Kerr. They resided in Salina, Kansas. To this union was born Andrew and Laura. They later divorced and she met James Gardner, whom she married and had daughter, Jamie Lynn.
Deanna was involved in restaurant work for many years. She enjoyed the banter with customers. When she cooked, it was for an army. She ran a restaurant for a while in Esbon, Kansas.
She was not afraid of work as she was involved with helping haul bales, drive truck, and even plowed one summer for her dad. At one time she worked on the paint line at Reinke Manufacturing.
One thing Deanna enjoyed was helping people. For a time she worked in home health caring for others. She would take you under her wing if you needed help.
Deanna was preceded in death by her parents, Lynn and Edena Garman; her daughter, Laura Lynn Kerr; an infant brother, David Garman; brother, Dennis Garman; two sisters, Jennifer Freel and Sharon Martin; and nephew, Gregory Garman.
Survivors include her children, Andy (Stacy) Kerr and Jamie Gardner of De Soto, Kansas; her sisters, Susan (Bernie) Fackler of Battletown, Kentucky, Cynthia Wade, and Alyce (Darrel) Coffelt of Mankato, Kansas; sister-in-law, Gloria (Richard) Schlaefli of Ionia, Kansas; grandchildren, Adam Gardner of Chicago, Gabriella and Xavier Chaney and Madison and Makenna Kerr of De Soto, Kansas; also many nieces, nephews and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m., Jan. 27 at the Senior Center in Burr Oak. Interment will be at a later date.
Memorials may be sent to the Senior Center or Christian Church of Burr Oak.
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