October 26, 1945 – June 18, 2019
With great sadness, we announce the death of Deanna Reddekopp. She passed away at home surrounded by family.
Deanna was born on October 26, 1945 to Jacob and Anna Friesen in the Hague area. She was their first-born, a girl, just like her dad wanted. Her mom had wanted a boy, but still to this day talks about what a pretty baby Deanna was.
Deanna grew up in Dalmeny and Warman. Many times during her life, she exceeded expectations and surprised people with her resilience and inner strength. She was born with a serious heart condition and in the age before open heart surgeries, she wasn’t expected to live past childhood. Finally, at the age of 15, thanks to medical advancements, she traveled to the United States for life-saving surgery at the Mayo Clinic.
Deanna was a devoted mother to her three children and often found time to play, read or sing with them. She loved to bake and was especially known for her delicious buns, which she enjoyed sharing with others, sometimes delivering them along with a jar of soup or raspberry jam. She was always up for new adventures and loved travelling, especially to visit family.
Because of her health issues, she learned activities like skating and biking in her teen years, and learned to drive in her forties. Deanna loved to sing but people only heard that beautiful voice after her heart surgery. She was always ready to help those in need, spending hours volunteering and caring for her family members. Usually quiet and always accepting of her circumstances, she never complained, but when she had an opinion, she was undefeatable.
She was an avid sports fan, cheering on all the ball teams that John coached, and the teams her children played on. She would often act as scorekeeper at the games, keeping detailed stats for the teams. She also loved to cheer on the Jays and watched every curling match she could.
Deanna had a strong faith and was devoted to serving God and her church community any way that she could. It has been such a blessing to have this faith community through the difficult times of her illness.
She is survived by her loving husband, John; her children, Darren (Sejal), Kendra (Parviz Yazdani) and Lorenda; grandchildren Morgan, Eryn and Rohan Reddekopp; Zayneddin, Kazia, Solmaz and Saviz Yazdani; her mother Anna Friesen; brother Cliff Friesen (Susan Jones), sisters Rosella Harms (Ron), Harriet Melenchuk, Vicki Doell and sister-in-law Anna Friesen and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her father, Jacob Friesen, brother Harvey Friesen, niece Tammy Salidas, brother-in-law Steve Melenchuk, her parents-in-law David F. and Helen Reddekopp and sister-in-law Elvira Reddekopp.
Special thanks to Dr. Brodie and all the staff at Seniors First, with big hugs to Audrey and Dora, who became like family.
Visitation and sharing to be held Monday, June 24, 2019, 7:00 pm. Funeral Service on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, 2:00 pm with both services being held at Osler Mennonite Church, 212 2nd Ave, Osler, SK.
Donations in her memory can be made to Mennonite Central Committee SK, 600 45 St W, Saskatoon, SK S7L 5W9, or the Heart & Stroke Foundation, 1738 Quebec Ave #26, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1V9. Arrangements entrusted to DALMENY FUNERAL HOME 306-254-2022.
14 Comments
Dear John and family,
How sad we are to find out about Deanna’s passing. Her smile could definitely light up a room. She will be missed by all who knew her. Our deepest condolences. Prayers and hugs from the Spence Family.
John & family. So sad to hear of your loss. The times I did see you & Deanna was always special & are good memories. Thinking of you! ❤️
Dear John and family,
My deepest sympathy’s to you all. In these times of sorrow remember the times spent together and know that you have another angel watching over you.
I remember Deanna’s quiet ways when she came to visit at the school. Her muffins were always a hit in the staffroom and were devoured quickly. Big hugs and prayers to you.
Gwen
Dear John and family, I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Deanna was a very warm,caring and lovely lady. I am sending you lots of love,hugs and prayers to help you through this very sad time.
John and family, I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. Hugs to all.
John and Family,
I am sorry to hear of Deanna’s passing. I send you my love and deepest sympathies.
Love
Cynthia
John and family, we are sorry for your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers through this difficult time. Memories are a beautiful gift and I know you will treasure them as you mourn your loss and celebrate Deanna’s life.
John and family, we are so sorry to hear of Deanna’s passing, our thoughts and prayers
are with you, may God give you strength during this difficult time.
John and family so sad to hear about the passing of Deanna. She was was such a sweet, soft spoken, lovey woman. May the days and months ahead be filled with opportunities to share happy memories, hugs and the healing of tears. Your family will be forever blessed by having Deanna part of it. Prayers and hugs. Rose Hamilton
My deep condolences to you Mr. Reddekopp and to your family.
Dear John and extended family,
I learned from my sister about Deanna’s passing. My condolences to all of you. I have lovely memories of Deanna and her lovely soprano voice. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Barbara Loeppky Cornish
Our condolences to John and the family. We will keep you in our prayers.
John, Darren, Lorenda, Kendra,
Our thoughts are with you all as you ponder the mysteries of life and of death. Deanna is away, but her memories remain. The commemoration of her life at Osler Mennonite was wonderful. Louise and Jake Buhler
To John and family,
We just heard today of Deanna’s death and we want to extend our deepest condolances to you all. May the God of all comfort be yours in the months and years to come.
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