Deanna Denny

June 15, 1938 - February 3, 2021

*Please note that due to the current opening of Covid-19 restrictions, the family and the church now wish to have a public memorial service with family and friends. Social distancing, families sitting together, and wearing masks is strongly encouraged. A public memorial service celebrating the life of Deanna Denny, of Clarissa, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 24, at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Clarissa, with Pastor Justin Hesterman presiding. The Celebration of Deanna's Life will continue after the service as an Open House with family and friends and will be held at Noon on Saturday at the Clarissa Ballroom. A public visitation will be held on Friday, April 23, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Church in Clarissa, and will resume at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the memorial service. Deanna, age 82, passed away on February 3, 2021, at the Central Todd County Care Center in Clarissa, MN. Deanna Darleen (Hokanson) Denny was born to Arthur and Judith (Hanson) Hokanson on June 15, 1938, in Bertha MN.  Deanna was baptized and confirmed into the faith at the Congregational Church in Bertha.   At age twelve, while at Bible Camp, Deanna chose to go to the altar to become a disciple of Christ.  Deanna was united in marriage to Ted Denny on November 17, 1954.   Their union was blessed with nine children.  They made their home near Clarissa MN. Deanna did not eat the bread of idleness, helping on the farm, bringing up nine children, growing a huge garden, working off the farm as a sewing machine operator and canning 100’s of jars of fruit each summer.  Those peaches and cherries were the best treat a child could eat. However, the grandchildren may argue that grandma's popcorn balls at hunting season were the reason for the season.        Deanna’s devotion and love for her husband and family took her on various adventures; horse drawn sleigh rides, horse pulls, parades, card parties, dances, bowling leagues, fishing, and her first airplane ride to Orlando FL.           She enjoyed practicing hospitality, spending time with family and friends, sharing a meal, playing cards, board games, bingo and reading were a few of her joys. She was a thinker, she challenged herself with crossword puzzles, 1000-piece puzzles and any kind of puzzle that required deep problem solving.      She was a cheerful and generous giver.  Her talent of sewing was a blessing to her family, friends, and community fundraisers. She sacrificed resources and time sewing clothing for her children, prom dresses, wedding garments, items for community fundraisers and quilts became her fun in these last years.  She found much satisfaction giving the works of her hands to others.   There was always something brewing in her mind and heart when it came to fabric and making something useful from it. The art of sewing and the love for fabrics will live on in her daughters, granddaughters, and great-granddaughters. Deanna had a servant’s heart; giving of her time to family, the church and community. She enjoyed planning family parties, reunions, and town events - she liked PLANNING.  She belonged to the Ladies Aid, Red Hat Society, Auxiliary, and her service to the Foster Grandparent Program in Clarissa and Bertha Schools brought her purpose and fulfillment. Deanna was a God-fearing woman, a humble heart that pondered and prayed through her journey.  Her faith in God was her strength and hope that anchored the family in uncertain times and stormy days.  Preceding Deanna in death were her husband, Ted; parents, Arthur and Judith; sister, Maryann; brother Virgil; and great grandson, Eli Bartels. She is survived by her children, Mike (Carol) Denny, Christine (Steve) Tharaldson, Cynthia (Matt) Rowe, Douglas (Joan) Denny, Janet (David) Malone, Karen Gow, Greg (Diane) Denny, Tracy Denny, and Amy (Brent) Oftedahl; a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; along with a sister, Hildy Palo.