IN MEMORIAM

EXPANDED EULOGIES

“In Memoriam” listings are expanded paid obituaries, phrased as the family requests, and may include enhanced information or photographs that might not fit within free death notices.

Deana Olsen

Family will gather with friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, at Aulne Bible Church before a funeral at 2 p.m. for Deana Lynne Olsen, 78, Marion, who passed away Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, at Glen Carr Home in Derby.

She will be laid to rest in Marion Cemetery.

Deana’s life began on July 25, 1945, in Wichita. She was a daughter of James E. and Ava C. (Halling) Ballew.

When she was 4 years old, her father brought home a toy Palamino horse for her to play with. This led to a lifetime love of horses and horse breeding.

Deana raised rabbits when she was 5 years old and had one rabbit she was particularly proud of that stretched out over three feet long.

She began riding horses at age 8 on a tall quarter horse named Ace. She rode without a saddle so her little feet wouldn’t get caught in stirrups.

While Deana’s mother ran a beauty shop, Deana would climb onto cars and swing herself onto the horse, clinging to the mane.

She went onto raising miniature horses, enjoying horse shows, and even appeared on KAKE and KPTS-TV’s “Hatteberg’s People,” showcasing her love of animals.

Deana drove a school bus for USD 259 while her kids were in school; worked at Cessna Aircraft, Walmart, the Sassy Shop, Parkside Nursing Home, and Marion Ambulance Service; and was a member of the Aulne Bible Church.

She was united in marriage to Larry “Farmer” Olsen on July 11, 1987. They worked their horses and crops and made a nice life together.

Deana is survived by her children Steven Challacombe (and wife Diane) of Manhattan and Lorri Jost (and husband Carey) of Haysville; grandchildren Brandon, Adam, and Eric Challacombe and Kayla and Jake Jost; and stepchildren Tracey Long and Stacey Pedersen, both of Marion.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and infant brother Gene.

Yazel-Megli Funeral Home is serving the family.

Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to Aulne Bible Church or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Please sign her online guestbook and leave a memory of Deana at www.yazelmeglifh.com.