Deanna Carol Peterson

Deanna Carol Peterson
December 9, 1940 - February 1, 2024

Deanna Carol Peterson, daughter of Howard and Doris Self, was born December 9, 1940, in Wichita, Kansas, the oldest of seven children. Deanna passed away peacefully from this life on February 1, 2024, at the age of 83, having suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease for twelve years.

Deanna received her elementary education in Wichita, Kansas and Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1953, when she was 13, Deanna and her family moved to Oregon settling in Elmira where she received her high school education. In 1958-59 Deanna completed a freshman year of study at Northwest Christian College in Eugene.

On June 12, 1959, she was married to Les Peterson at Elmira Christian Church. To this union were born two children; a son, David, and a daughter, Rebecca. As a minister’s wife, Deanna moved several times throughout her life, first returning to Oklahoma and Kansas, and then back west, living in Idaho, California, Oregon, and Washington.

Deanna was actively involved in churches wherever she went, through teaching, music, and women’s organizations. Over the years she also worked at an elementary school kitchen, as a secretary for a political candidate, as a secretary at a community college, and as a secretary for a graduate seminary.

After Dave and Becky completed their higher education, Deanna, in her 50’s, returned to college. She completed an associate degree at Chemeketa Community College in Salem and her bachelor's and master’s degrees in English at Portland State University. She then returned to Chemeketa Community College as an adjunct professor in English, teaching and tutoring students until she retired. She loved teaching and said she always learned as much from her students as she taught them.

Deanna loved reading books throughout her life, capable of reading a book a day, while remembering most of what she read. She also had a life-long love for dogs and horses, a love she passed on to her daughter and granddaughter. She also enjoyed family camping experiences along with domestic and international travel and six cruise trip adventures. One highlight for her was spending a month, along with her husband, children, and two church youth, on an archaeological dig in southern Israel.

In retirement she and Les moved to Vashon Island, Washington, to be close to their daughter and her family. Deanna especially loved being near her grandchildren, Aaron and Madeline, as they grew and matured. Then it was back to Oregon where she and Les settled in near Albany, becoming active members of Albany First Christian Church.

Deanna was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Doris Self.

She is survived by her husband Les, and her children, David, of Silver Spring, MD, and daughter, Rebecca (Garth Braund), of Lebanon, OR. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Aaron Bergman, Denver, CO, Madeline Basha (Jon), Scottsdale, AZ, and Finnegan and Huckleberry Peterson of Silver Spring, MD. Deanna was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. In addition, she is survived by her six siblings, Linda Ware (Jeff), Aleta Bullard (Joe), Laurie Thomas, Jane Self (Tom Gambrell), Randy Self, and Steve Self (Ann), along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A celebration of life service will be held at Albany First Christian Church (432 Ferry St SW Albany, OR 97321) on February 9 at 10:00 AM with burial following at Restlawn Memory Gardens (201 Oak Grove Road Salem, OR 97304) at 2:00 PM. Memorial gifts can be given in Deanna’s name to Albany First Christian Church, the Alzheimer’s Association, or Samaritan Evergreen Hospice.