Smith Jo Deanna

Deanna Jo (Dye) Smith, age 44, of Sunrise Beach, Missouri, passed away Wednesday morning, May 11, 2005 near her home. She was born April 19, 1961 in Salina, Kansas, on her father’s birthday. She was known to her friends as “Dee.” Her parents are Bobbie and Elan Olson Dye, of Assaria, Kansas. She is survived by her parents, her sister, Ronda Russell, of Assaria, Kansas, her brother-in-law, Randy Russell and her nephew, Ryan Russell, also of Assaria, Kansas; Other family members include her uncle and aunt, Bill and Helen Dye, of Sunrise Beach, Missouri, her uncle and aunt, Clarence and Brenda Dye, of Farmington, New Mexico, her aunt, Kathy Johnson of Lincoln, Nebraska, and her aunt, Jolene Dye, of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Deanna is also survived by her fiancé, Howard Waldrop, of Sunrise Beach, Missouri, and many loving cousins and friends. Deanna was raised on a farm east of Assaria, Kansas, where her passion for the outdoors began. She loved horses and dogs. She learned to hunt and fish in her early teens and soon became an accomplished sportswoman. Deanna was baptized, confirmed and married in the Assaria Lutheran Church, of Assaria, Kansas. She attended Southeast of Saline School and graduated in 1979. She was a member of the Mentor 4-H Club, the Salina Chapter of Job’s Daughters and many school clubs and organizations. As a child, Deanna learned to play the piano, clarinet, and guitar. In 1978, she helped her family build their new home east of Assaria. Deanna was a very talented painter, landscapes and animals being her favorite subjects. Following high school, she attended Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas for one year, where she expanded her interest in computers. Deanna’s first marriage brought her to the Lake of the Ozarks in 1981, where she began a new life, forming friendships and relationships dear to her heart. She remained in the lake area and remarried in 1997. Deanna’s world focused on hard work and enjoying life to the fullest. She spent most of her time waitressing, but often held-down two or more jobs. She also worked in retail-sales, construction and plumbing. Deanna’s leisure hours were spent gardening, canning, hunting and picking blackberries. She loved her dogs. They were her constant companions, often sharing a fondness reserved for close family and friends. Deanna loved life and the lake. She enjoyed spending quality time with family and friends. She could always be counted on to lend an ear, give a hand, share a smile or offer encouragement. She greatly looked forward to beginning a new life at her new lake home with her new husband, Howard, and his sons Chris and Aaron. Deanna will be greatly missed. Although she left us much too young and much too soon, her family knows that God needs special people, like Deanna, in heaven. If there are blackberry bushes in heaven, we know that God will be having jelly on his toast. Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, May 14, 2005 at Cross Road Church near Sunrise Beach with Tony Corado officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Friday, May 13, 2005 at the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home in Laurie. For sympathy e-mails visit www.kidwellgarber.com. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Humane Society or Cross Road Church Arrangements are under the direction of the Kidwell-Garber Laurie-Sunrise Beach Chapel. (573) 374-7688

Smith Jo Deanna

May 11, 2005

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Smith Jo Deanna

May 11, 2005

About Us

What We Do

Contact KG/Locations

Grief & Healing

Plan Ahead

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