Deanna K. Klenda

Deanna Kay Klenda
April 15, 1944 ~ May 29, 2024

Deanna’s life began on April 15, 1944, in Wichita, Kansas. She is the daughter of Albert and Pauline (Hanus) Klenda. Deanna was raised on a farm north of Marion and graduated from Marion High School with the class of 1962. She then attended and graduated from Kansas State University in 1967. Deanna moved to the Bay Area in San Francisco, California where she worked. for World Airways; flight charter flights all over the world. After being a flight attendant, Deanna moved to Kayenta, Arizona and taught school on the Navajo Indian Reservation. In 1969, Deanna moved to Wichita and was a probation officer for 17 years. Later in 2001 she moved back to the farm near Marion and worked for the Funeral Home. He later retired full time and spent his later years in both Wichita and Marion.

When not hard at work, Deanna was a member of the Wichita Bar Association Auxiliary for 15 years and served as President in 1980. She was also a member of the Kansas Court Service Officers Association. Deanna coordinated the National League of POW-MIA Families of Southeast Asia. Deanna was very active in St. Episcopal Church. Stephens in Wichita, Kansas, where he served in the vestry in the early 1980s.

Deanna had two great passions in her life: her family and her mission to bring her brother, Dean, home. She adored her family, which included her sons, Gavin Peters of Wichita and Kyle (Carla Martin) Peters of Daphne, Alabama; her daughter, Jillyn (Tray) Schmidt of Manhattan; and her grandchildren, Ezra Peters, Tripp Schmidt and Bodey Schmidt. Deanna cherished spending time with her family on the farm, and her greatest joy was when everyone gathered for sunset on the sunset chairs. Deanna worked tirelessly to bring her brother Major Dean Klenda home after he went missing in action on September 17, 1965. Klenda was finally laid to rest on September 17, 51 years after his aircraft was shot down in North Vietnam. Deanna’s mission was finally complete.

Deanna, age 80, passed away on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at her home in Wichita, Kansas. She is preceded in death by her parents; Albert and Pauline and siblings; Donald Klenda and Dean Klenda.

Deanna’s family will gather with friends on Monday, June 3, 2024 from 5:00 – 7:00 at Yazel Megli Funeral Home, Marion, Kansas. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Yazel Megli Funeral Home, Marion, Kansas. Deanna will be buried at the Plzei cemetery. Yazel Megli Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the family. Memorial contributions in Deanna’s name may be directed to St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital. Jude’s or to the Make a Wish Foundation. Please sign the online guestbook and leave a memory of Deanna at www.yazelmeglifh.com.

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