Deanna Kay Klenda

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 went on to attend and graduated from Kansas State University in 1967. Deanna moved to the Bay area of San Francisco, California where she worked for World Airways; flying charter flights all over the world. After she was 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. She later retired full time and spent her later years in both Wichita and Marion. 

When Deanna was 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 Services Officers Association. Deanna coordinated the National League of Families of POW-MIA in Southeast Asia. Deanna was very active in the St. Stephens’s Episcopal Church in Wichita, Kansas, where she served on the vestry in the early 80’s.

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 at the farm, and her greatest joy was when everyone gathered for sunset in the sunset chairs. Deanna worked tirelessly to bring her brother, Maj. 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, at the age of 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 brothers; 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 service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Yazel Megli Funeral Home, Marion, Kansas. Deanna will be laid to rest at Pilsen Cemetery. Yazel Megli Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the family. Memorial contributions in Deanna’s name may be directed to St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital or to Make a Wish Foundation. Please sign her online guestbook and leave a memory of Deanna at www.yazelmeglifh.com.