Charles (Chuck) Dickson Harris passed away on October 18, 2016. He was born in the Roaring Fork Valley on April 30, 1917. He was 99 years old. His parents, Ambrose (Vern) and Alvina Harris were also born in this valley. Chuck’s grandfather, Charles H. Harris, was one of the valley’s first white settlers. He came to the valley over Independence Pass in a wagon in 1880. His grandmother, Rosetta Noble Harris, was one of the first teachers in Aspen. Their homestead was on what is now known as the Cerise Ranch.

Chuck married Margaret (Bobbie) Glassier, also a native of the valley, on July 5, 1941. They were married for 72 years before she passed away on March 29, 2013, a few weeks short of turning 97. In the years after her death, he would often say that he was so lucky to have had such a wonderful partner in life. They had two children, Alvina and Glen.

Chuck and Bobbie owned and operated the Catherine Store for many years selling food, gas and even Levi jeans. He had a backhoe business for many years and also built and owned, along with his children, El Jebowl. They enjoyed many happy winters in Yuma, Arizona, with extended stays in Bahia Kino, Mexico, camping and fishing.

He was a man of man skills and interests. He owned a piper cub airplane and also built and flew an ultra light plane. He was a cowboy at heart and had a deep affection for horses and was an accomplished rider. He owned and broke many horses throughout his life, riding well into his nineties.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his son, Glen. He is survived by his daughter, Alvina (Bill) Stecklein of Grand Junction and his daughter-in-law, Susan Harris of Carbondale; grandchildren William (Shannon) Stecklein, Chris (Dee) Miller, Matthew (Tracy) Stecklein, Maggie (Nate) Strommenger, Luke (Andrea) Harris, Kaid (Tatjana) Harris; and great-grandchildren Kimberly and Alexis Miller, Lane and Page Stecklein, Isabell Stecklein Strommenger, Louis and Lova Harris, and Olive Harris. There will be no services as was his wish.

La Verne (Bubbles) Starbuck was born March 29, 1926, to Clyde W. Morris and Laura (Voss) Morris in Arvada, Colorado. She passed away November 14, 2016.

La Verne attended Arvada schools graduating from high school in 1944. After high school, she attended Colorado State University receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education in 1962. She went on to the University of Colorado and in 1969 received her Master’s degree in Secondary School Administration. On August 19, 1951, La Verne married Frank Starbuck in Rifle, Colorado, at the First Christian Church. La Verne, known by many as Mrs. Starbuck, taught school at Hunter Mesa during the years of 1947-1948 and 1950-1951, Fairview and Dry Hollow rural schools from 1951-1957.

After teaching at the rural schools, she taught for 20 years at Rifle Junior High School for Garfield RE-2; first as a teacher and then as principal of the junior high. She left her educational field in 1976. La Verne had many accomplishments during her lifetime. In 1952, she was Garfield County Fair and Rodeo Queen and in the same year was Flag Day Rodeo Queen. She was a member of the Enterprise Grange in Arvada, Divide Creek Grange of Silt, and Elk Creek Grange until 2003.

La Verne gave back to the community through the many years of service to local boards. She served on the Grand River Hospital Board from 1972-1984. She was a member of the Board of Adjustments and Garfield County Planning Commission from 1976-1988. From 1984-1996, La Verne was a member of the Garfield County Library Board of Trustees as well as being a member of the West Divide Water Conservancy District Board of Trustees from 1991-2008. La Verne was a past member of Delta Kappa Gamma Teacher’s Sorority and the Fairview Reading Club. In 2013 she was inducted into the Garfield County 4-H Hall of Fame.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Frank; parents Clyde W. and Laura Morris of Arvada, and her nine siblings; three brothers – Laythan (Arvada, CO), Glenn (San Diego, CA) Clyde Jr. (Grand Junction) and six sisters – Neola Hawkins (Arvada, CO), Elaine Becker (Cincinnati, OH), Thais White (Arvada, CO), Lynette Ivanick (Los Angeles, CA), June Nelson (Minnesota), and Marie Morris (Lakewood, CO). She is survived by seventeen nieces and nephews. Visitation services will be held at 12 p.m. on November 19, 2016, at the First Christian Church in Rifle, CO with funeral services to follow at 1 p.m. Interment will be at Divide Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Silt Historical Park, PO Box 401 Silt, CO, 81652.

Georgi Ann Whitmore Aibner passed away on November 10, 2016, following a year-long battle with cancer. She will be remembered as an energetic, generous soul with love for the outdoors and a good margarita.

As a veteran elementary school teacher, Georgi was a champion and advocate for all her students, but especially those in need. Georgi was a life-long learner who urged all those around her to continue their intellectual journeys every day through reading, travel, and outdoor adventure.

She is survived by daughters Angela Strode (Sean) and Andrea Aibner (Michael Bracher), grandson Kolya Strode, her mother Henrietta Wright, and her sisters Nancy Whitmore and Shirley Dilger (Mike). Georgi requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either the Denver Hospice (www.thedenverhospice.org) or Colorado Homeless Families (PO Box 740130, Arvada, CO, 80006). Services will be held on November 18 at 11 a.m. at the Chapel in the Gardens at St. Elizabeth (2835 West 32nd Ave., Denver), and on November 20 at 11 a.m. at the Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts (601 E. 6th Street, Glenwood Springs).

Kendall Olson born September 6, 1958. Resided in El Jebel, Colorado. Worked at Aspen Bath and Tile.

Ken is survived by wife Rosemary, children Vanessa, Luvesa, and Tristin. Also one granddaughter Brandy. He met his Lord on November 12, 2016. Loving son, brother, husband, father, cousin, uncle, and friend.

Celebration of life will be held. Call (970) 309-2229 or leave message at (970) 901-6734.

Ron Diest’s horoscope couldn’t have been more fitting on the day he died last week, longtime friend and Mountain Valley Developmental Services caregiver Barb Donily observed at his memorial Thursday.

Nov. 10, 2017 — Aquarius: “As you show appreciation for the solid people and felicitous circumstances of the day, a joy ignites in your heart, radiates through your body and rings out through the atmosphere. You are happiness, ground zero.”

That’s just how the stars always seemed to align for Diest, who was well-known in Glenwood Springs for his many years working as a dishwasher at the 19th Street Diner and the Loft restaurant, and for his Special Olympics exploits on the ski slopes and at the bowling alley.

Diest, who had been in declining health in recent years and had been unable to continue doing the things he loved, died at the age of 72 on Nov. 10.

Donily opened the floor at the Glenwood Springs Community Center to the many friends he’d made in Glenwood Springs over the years, from the regular Diner patrons to his many Mountain Valley “family” members.

“I knew him for a long time, and I’m just going miss him so much. He was one of my best friends,” said roommate Joe Herrera, who sang an impromptu rendition of Amazing Grace for Diest at the urging his brother, Jimmy Herrera.

Special Olympics ski teammate Gary Anders said he’ll miss those days on the slopes with Diest. “We had a lot of fun times skiing in the Olympics. I’ll never forget that.”

Area Special Olympics coordinator Julie Fite said Diest lived the Special Olympics motto, which teammate David Hays spontaneously joined in reciting: “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

Hays said he would dedicate his upcoming ski season to Diest.

Longtime friend and Glenwood Springs businessman Mike Deer said Diest became an unlikely confidant over the years.

“He taught me probably more than anybody about how to handle life, and I’ve had some pretty interesting mentors,” Deer said. “I ask God to let Ron’s spirit soar with the eagles, and let his breath be one with the wind.”

Deer said he saw an eagle perched above the Roaring Fork River on the way to the memorial service, and figured it had to be Ron.

Diest was a well-known fixture around town since arriving with his adopted family, the Cranks, in 1978. Diest had gone to work for Bill Crank at the family restaurant in Lawrence, Kansas, 55 years ago and later moved in with them.

“There was this skinny little guy, and I figured he couldn’t possibly wash dishes,” Bill Crank said at the memorial. “Of course, he ended up being a dishwashing machine, he could do it better than just about anybody.”

He told a story of Diest’s generous side after the Wichita State football team was in a tragic bus accident on Loveland Pass in Colorado that killed several players.

Diest had been keeping a wooden box full of coins and was working in a restaurant where there was a gathering in the aftermath, and someone said they needed to raise money to rebuild the team. Diest came out of the kitchen with his box of coins and handed it to the speaker, Crank related.

“He just gave a wave, and walked back to the kitchen to a standing ovation,” Crank said.

Diest could often be found at the counter at the 19th Street Diner after his shift, wearing his Yankees cap, Broncos jacket and having a cup of coffee.

One time, a couple of members of the Yankees were in Glenwood Springs for a hunting trip, and Diest got to shake their hands, recalled one of his former co-workers.

Current Diner co-owner Rick Wernsmann thanked Mountain Valley for encouraging its clients to integrate themselves in the community and contribute by working the many jobs that are available to them.

“We really believe they are as strong if not the strongest part of this community,” Wernsmann said.

Diest was also a big Elvis Presley fan, so the memorial fittingly ended Elvis’s version of “Peace in the Valley.”

Guillermo Lomeli, age 73, of Glenwood Springs, passed away peacefully on November 16, 2016, with his family by his side. Guillermo was born on July 2, 1943, in Jalisco, Mexico, the son of Antonio Lomeli and Guadalupe Romero.

Guillermo is survived by his wife Elisa; sons Hector, Guillermo, Oscar, Carlos Lomeli; daughters Ana, Martina, Veronica and Susana Lomeli. He was preceded in death by his beloved sons Arturo and Carlitos Lomeli.

He was very passionate about his 1986 Suburban. He loved to keep it like new. He loved to dance and loved dancing with his daughters and granddaughters, especially on Christmas Eve when the whole family was together. He was a very caring man and always put others first. He led by example and always wanted the best for family. He was a role model to everyone. He was the perfect Dad, Husband, and Grandfather. There will be a funeral service for Guillermo at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 19, 2016, at Farnum Holt Funeral Home in Glenwood Springs, CO.

The family wishes for all who knew Guillermo to come join them.

Peggy Jean Strong-McCune was born on May 9, 1953, in Aspen, CO, to Byra Vay and John E. Strong. Peggy passed away peacefully with family by her side, and God in her heart on November 1, 2016.

She attended Aspen High School up to her sophomore year. She then moved to Central Texas in 1968 where she finished high school and went to college. She married Rocky Johns, and had two children, Kristi Anne and Joshua Lea Patrick Johns. In 1989 she moved to Carbondale, she waited tables at the Wok Inn working hard to make a decent living for her children whom she adored. In the early ’90s she moved to Rifle where she worked at the Mill Inn, and then at the Basecamp Cafe. While in Rifle she met and married Phillip McCune and at that time gained 5 more children to give her love to.

She resided in Rifle until December 2015, when she moved to Riverton, Utah, to be with her daughter Kristi and her grandchildren Jake, Joshua, Alexander and Addisyn whom she adored.

She loved gardening, flowers, cooking, picnics, camping, fishing, the outdoors and enjoying time with all the children in her life and spending time with her family. She loved and appreciated all the support she received from her father, Bud. She also truly loved her church, The Rifle United Methodist Presbyterian Church, and her church family.

She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Joshua Lea Patrick Johns; mother, Byra Vay; Granddaughter, Morgan VayLea Christian; sister, Penny Lynn; step-brother, Chuck Wurtz; sister in law Ula Kirkman, several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She is survived by her husband Phillip McCune, father John E. Strong; daughters: Kristi Anne Christian and Angel McCune; sons, Brandon McCune, Jesse (Helena) McCune; Pat McCune, and Brian McCune; sisters, Becky Vay Strong, Tina (Mike) Deere, Suzanne (Bo) Bobo, Bonnie Strong; brother, George (Leslie) Strong; 9 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Donations may be made to the Peggy J. McCune Donation fund for help with medical bills.

Celebration of Life, Sunday, November 13, 2016, 2 p.m., Rifle United Methodist Presbyterian Church, 200 E. 4th Street, Rifle, CO. Reception to follow next door at Lovell Bldg, Sandwiches & refreshments provided, potluck side requested.

Ken Olson, born September 6, 1958. Resided in El Jebel, Colorado.

He worked for over 27 years as general manager at Aspen Marble, a division of Aspen Tile. Ken was the hardest working, smart, care-giving person you would ever want to meet And was very much responsible for the growth and success of the marble division. We were always amazed with Ken’s fast learning ability with all the new technology in machinery. He will truly be missed by all of us at Aspen Tile and Marble.

Ken is survived by his wife of nearly 42 years, his children Vanessa, Luvesa, and his son Tristin. Also one granddaughter Brandy.

He met his lord on November 12, 2016. Loving son, brother, husband, father, cousin, uncle and friend.

A celebration of life will be Wednesday the 23 of November at the El Jebel bowling ally from 4 to 6 p.m. Please come with Ken stories.

Susan Smith Williams passed away peacefully on Nov. 7, 2016.

She is survived by her devoted daughter, Stacy Davis, and husband Ted Davis of Basalt, Colorado; granddaughter Susan “Susey” Davis of Washington, D.C.; and grandson Thomas “Tommy” Davis of Denver, Colorado. She is also survived by her sisters, Sandra Olivas of Albany, Kathy (Mark) Noakes of Albany, Anna (Larry) Whitehurst of Newport, Elizabeth (Joe) Thompson of Junction City, Raymond Smith of Tangent and Robert Smith of Albany; and many nieces and nephews.

Susan “Sue” was born June 15, 1943, in Corvallis to Ruth and Raymond Smith. After Ruth’s passing, Raymond would remarry to Mary May O’Brien in 1947. Sue spent many years in the Willamette Valley as an impressive business woman working for Southland Corporation. Sue and her daughter Stacy successfully franchised a store in Eugene on River Road and in Bend. It was quite the family affair. Friends, family and her future son-in-law, Ted, would all work together and provide outstanding service and that kept the customers coming back. Sue always had a smile when greeting customers. She was very “hands on” and taught the workers the importance of excellent customer service.

Sue loved listening to Elvis and country music, dancing, and spending time with family. Sue had the wonderful opportunity to retire and move close to her daughter and her family in Colorado, She was blessed to be able to travel and spend time with family. Stacy, Ted, Susey and Tommy brought so much happiness and love into Sue’s life.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Raymond Smith, and Mary Smith; two brothers, James and Richard O’Brien; and sisters Jacqueline O’Brien and Regina Quercia.

Sue’s beautiful smile and laugh will be missed.

Karl Stewart Jones died in Montrose, CO, of lung cancer. He is survived by his mother, sister, brothers, nieces and nephews. Karl was born in Houston and became a house painter in Austin. Karl lived in Glenwood the rest of his life. Well-known to many in Glenwood, he loved music, animals and nature. Karl was well-loved by family and friends.

Please make memorial donations to your local homeless services.

Born May 28, 1968, in Colorado Springs, Tim passed away on November 12, 2016 in his home in Rifle.

Tim moved to New Castle with parents Gary and Debbie Morley in 1976 when he was a boy, where he fell in love with the mountains. Tim graduated from Glenwood Springs HS in 1986. After a short stint in the Navy, Tim returned to Glenwood. He then moved to Crested Butte to pursue his love for skiing and the culinary arts.

For 20 years, Tim made his career as a surveyor here in the valley, hiking section corners and walking boundary lines, often in the mountains that were his second home. Along with family, he was passionate about hunting, shooting, hiking and being with nature.

He was married to Jo Anne Olp (Hendrickson). They have three lovely children: Riley, Logan and Laurel.

His beloved mother Debbie preceded him in death in 2011. Tim is survived by his father, Gary and Geri Morley, sisters Kristian (Steve) Hill and Jenn Morley (Norm Read), and nieces Nadia and Willa Hill.

For the past two years, Tim battled serious health issues.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established at Alpine bank in Tim’s name to help with funeral costs.

A memorial service will be held at New Creation Church on December 10th at 2 p.m.

Timothy John Markoya, 32, passed away on Wednesday November 2, 2016 in Littleton, CO. He was born July 31, 1984 in Bridgeport, CT and lived in Connecticut through 8th grade. The family moved to Colorado Springs in 1998 then to Carbondale in August of 1999.

Tim attended Roaring Fork High School for his last three years of high school where he played football and rugby. He was also on the Student Council. He graduated in 2002.

As a Dean’s List student at University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business, Tim studied hard and made many lasting friendships. He was passionate about CU Football, continuing to go to the games as a regular Fall tradition. After his junior year at CU, he studied abroad for seven weeks in Perugia, Italy making many lasting memories. He loved Italy all the other American students he met. He graduated in 2006 with a B.A. degree in Business Administration with a minor in Finance.

At the Department of the Interior in the Denver Federal Center in Lakewood, Tim had worked as a Mineral Revenue Specialist for the last nine years.

He is survived by his parents Frank and Claire Markoya, brother Daniel and his wife Elissa, sister Catherine and her son Jayden, grandparents Leo and Jean Carter, numerous aunts, uncles, and our foreign exchange brother Matthias from Austria. A Celebration of Life service will be held on December 3, 2016 from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, at the Gathering Center at the Orchard, 110 Snowmass Drive in Carbondale. Reception following.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Timothy J. Markoya Scholarship fund at Alpine Bank. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a Roaring Fork High School graduate attending CU Boulder.

It is with deep regret that we share the passing of Guy F. Williams III on November 13, 2016 – he was 65.

Guy’s love for music and his dedication for playing his guitar started while he was growing up in New London, New Hampshire, and continued for decades in the Roaring Fork Valley. He also loved his motorcycles, and felt more comfortable riding his Harley than driving his truck. He had a thriving Stone Masonry Business and took pride in his work, which is reflected in many beautiful homes from Carbondale to Aspen.

Guy is survived by his wife Cindy and son Dylan, who live in the Valley; his daughters, Amera and Brandi, brother Tom and sister in law Liz, and niece and nephew, Sam and Jesse, who reside in New Hampshire.

There will be a Celebration of Life for family and friends in New Hampshire in the Spring. More information will be provided as Spring approaches.

We will all miss Guy’s constant presence up and down this Valley, his beautiful smile, and his incredible talent for playing the guitar.

Pearl Irena Duncanson went to be with her friends and relatives Nov. 15, 2016. She was 101 years old. Pearl was born to William B. and Julia Hortense Loomis-Pyles January 9, 1915, at Joes, Colorado. She married A.D. “Doc” Duncanson January 25, 1932, in St. Francis, Kansas. They moved to Rifle in 1942 where Doc worked for Union Carbide. Pearl worked as a medical assistant for several doctors in the area including Dr. E. D. Moore and Dr. Harry Knapp.

Doc and Pearl were the proud parents of 3 children, Eugene (Chizuko) Duncanson, Jan (Ralph) Walker, and Dwight Duncanson. They were blessed with 7 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Pearl joined the Rifle Rebekah Lodge in 1944 and was a member for 73 years. Both she and Doc belonged to Bookcliff Odd Fellow lodge. Pearl happily volunteered at the Rifle Senior Center, serving meals and any other job she found to do. She enjoyed helping others. She also loved playing cards, especially pinochle and cribbage. Pearl was a successful Avon representative for about 50 years.

Pearl was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and her son, Dwight.

A memorial service will be held December 2, 2016, at the Rifle Senior Center, 50 Ute Avenue, at 2:30 PM. Please come and share thoughts and memories of Pearl.

Paula Limbach, 86, Grand Junction, passed away November 24, 2016, in Grand Junction, CO. She was a teacher.

She is survived by five nephews: Steve Berger, Ken Houlihan, Karl Berger, Tom Houlihan and Jim Houlihan; and five nieces, Kathleen Lackey, Carol Adams, Paulie Young, Amy Cassidy and Sara Berger. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Brown’s Cremation and Funeral Service.

Kyle Paul Kuersten, born May 26, 1983, in Anchorage, AK, began his afterlife journey on November 25, 2016. Kyle fought a long, brave, fierce and unrelenting battle against cancer. Having never considered it work, Kyle enjoyed his trade in concrete and was able to support all four of his most precious jewels, his children, Haven, Kennith, Sierra and Bayley.

Kyle was an amazing father, a best friend, an inspiration to his nieces and nephews, an unforgettable brother, an adored grandson and a beloved son.

Kyle’s passions included fishing, camping, hiking, karaoke, spending time with friends and family, and shooting firearms. Kyle loved fiercely and gave generously. It is a known fact, Kyle would give you the last dollar out of his wallet, the shoes off his feet, and the shirt from his back.

Kyle had a smile that lit up a room, a glow in his eyes that warmed your soul, a laugh as bold as thunder, and a fierceness in him that brought the biggest of men to their knees.

He will be cherished. He will be missed. He will be loved. He will be celebrated. He would want us all to live life to his generous standard and love life like there is no tomorrow.

Although his life was short lived, Kyle’s impact on numerous lives will shine on through many.

Kyle’s celebration of life will be held Saturday, December 3, 2016, at 1:00 pm @ Elk Creek Elementary School, 804 W. Main Street, New Castle, CO 81647.

Timothy John Markoya, 32, passed away on Wednesday, November 2, 2016, in Littleton, CO. He was born July 31, 1984, in Bridgeport, CT, and lived in Connecticut through 8th grade. The family moved to Colorado Springs in 1998 then to Carbondale in August of 1999.

Tim attended Roaring Fork High School for his last three years of high school where he played football and rugby. He was also on the Student Council. He graduated in 2002.

As a Dean’s List student at University of Colorado-Boulder Leeds School of Business, Tim studied hard and made many lasting friendships. He was passionate about CU Football, continuing to go to the games as a regular Fall tradition. After his junior year at CU, he studied abroad for seven weeks in Perugia, Italy, making many lasting memories. He loved Italy all the other American students he met. He graduated in 2006 with a B.A. degree in Business Administration with a minor in Finance.

At the Department of the Interior in the Denver Federal Center in Lakewood, Tim had worked as a Mineral Revenue Specialist for the last nine years.

He is survived by his parents Frank and Claire Markoya, brother Daniel and his wife Elissa, sister Catherine and her son Jayden, grandparents Leo and Jean Carter, numerous aunts, uncles, and our foreign exchange brother Matthias from Austria. A Celebration of Life service will be held on December 3, 2016, from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, at the Gathering Center at the Orchard, 110 Snowmass Drive in Carbondale. Reception following.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Timothy J. Markoya Scholarship fund at Alpine Bank. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a Roaring Fork High School graduate attending CU Boulder.

Andrew Carl Nelson, born in Kingsville, Texas, June, 20 1960, to Marianne Barney & the late Marion Kirk Nelson of Colorado Springs. Having lived his entire life with his mother, he settled in Colorado Springs & graduated from Mitchell High school. He later moved to Glenwood Springs with his mother, becoming one of the regulars around town. Andy was a friend to all he met, had a ready smile & handshake. He was a devoted Broncos fan & loved sports of all kinds.

He leaves his mother & siblings Camilla (Paul) Buckley, Jacquie (Klaus) Langenbach& Aaron Nelson.

A service to remember him will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2016, at 2 p.m. at Veltas Park on the river in Glenwood Springs.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Colorado Animal Rescue of Glenwood Springs, Colorado 2801 County Road 114. http://www.coloradoanimalrescue.org

Mary Emma Fischer passed away peacefully in Carbondale, Colorado, on November 29th, 2016, at the age of 97. Mary was born April 5th, 1919, in Greenview, Illinois, to Richard and Maud Morgan. She married Paul William Fischer September 29th, 1940, in Sunnyvale, California. They later moved to Carbondale in 1970. Paul and Mary had one daughter, Shirley. Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Paul, and daughter, Shirley. She is survived by her son-in-law, Joe Kline, grandchildren, Michael Kline, Daniel Kline, Todd Kline, Robin Anderson and Dean Kline, 12 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Our friend Deanna Liebl passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 19, 2016, at her home in Carbondale. Born on November 12, 1954, in Larned, Kansas, Deanna moved to Carbondale in 2002 to launch the Roaring Fork Valley’s “Deanna Liebl Signature Wedding Cakes” — a custom wedding cake business she started in Wichita, Kansas.

Always an artist, Deanna began her career as an interior designer and then attended the Culinary Institute of America and Peter Kump’s New York Cooking School. Her latest venture found her teaming with her friend Amy Tarrant to start Too Haute Cowgirls, a gourmet popcorn company, where Deanna was in charge of recipe R&D and specialty chocolate was her passion.

She is survived by her dear husband Bob, three sisters, and extended family. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite animal rescue facility.