Deana Lynne Olsen
July 25, 1945 ~ January 6, 2024
Deana’s life began on July 25, 1945, in Wichita. She was the daughter of James E. and Ava C. (Halling) Ballew. When she was four 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 five years old and had one rabbit, she was particularly proud of that stretched out over 3 feet long. She began riding horses at the age of 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 her beauty shop, Deana would climb onto the cars and swing herself onto the horse, clinging to the mane. She went onto raising miniature horses, enjoying horseshows, and even appeared on Hattesburg People showcasing her love of animals.
Deana also drove a school bus for USD 259 while her kids were in school, working at Cessna Aircraft, Walmart, The Sassy Shop and Parkside Nursing Home. She worked on the Marion Ambulance Service and also was a member of the Aulne Bible Church.
She was united in marriage to Larry “Farmer” Olsen on July 11, 1987, and they worked their horses, crops and made a nice life together. Deana is survived by her children Steven (Diane) Challacombe of Manhattan, and Lorri (Carey) Jost of Haysville; grandchildren Brandon, Adam and Eric Challacombe and Kayla and Jake Jost; and stepchildren Tracey Long and Stacey Pedersen, both of Marion.
Deana passed away on Saturday January 6, 2024, at Glen Carr Home in Derby.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and infant brother Gene.
Her family will gather with friends on Thursday January 11, 2024, at 1-2 p.m. at the Aulne Bible Church where her funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday. She will be laid to rest in Marion Cemetery. Yazel Megli Funeral Home is serving the family. Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to the 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.