Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday at First Lutheran Church in Lafayette, with Pastor Bob Miner officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be 4-7:30 p.m. Thursday and 10-11 a.m. Friday at First Lutheran Church in Lafayette.

The Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes in New Ulm is handling the arrangements.

To leave an online condolence for her family or to sign the guest book go www.mvfh.org

Deanna Marie Sjogren was born on Oct. 27, 1951, in Minneapolis to Lavern and Marjorie Johnson (nee Pierson from Bernadotte). She was the middle child between her beloved brothers, Dennis and Wayne Johnson. She grew up in Brooklyn Center, in the joyful home on Emerson her father built and is still in the family today.

Deanna was born a city girl and graduated from the University of Minnesota in costume and design. However, she quickly learned to love farm life when she met (thanks to her cousin Bruce Malmberg) and married Dennis Sjogren of rural Lafayette on July 27, 1974. She raised sheep, served at First Lutheran Church of Lafayette, led the 4-H club, worked in New Ulm as director of Community and Seniors Together, being awarded a volunteerism award by Gov. Perpich. She later worked as marketing director at Citizens State Bank. She also served on volunteer boards in New Ulm and was an active member of the Lafayette Legion Post 300 Auxiliary. She was so proud of her rural life and community. Deanna also loved the annual (40-plus years) family vacation at Itasca State Park, as evidenced by her large collection of Itasca sweatshirts, which were her favorite to wear.

She was humble, hardworking, and always put her family and friends first. She loved doing crafts, fishing, or trips with her grandchildren, Harley, Curtis Daniel, Tristan, and Annie. She was talented in many areas, having sewn her wedding dress and Denny’s tuxedo. While at Gold Country Seed in Hutchinson, she was marketing/communications coordinator, responsible for all meetings, trip planning, events, and publications. With her daughter, she even wrote and designed a children’s book which won a national book award.

Deanna is survived by her husband, Dennis; son, Eric (Heidi) of Lafayette; daughter, Melessa (Curtis) Henderson of Minnetonka; grandchildren, Harley, Curtis Daniel, Tristan, and Annie; and siblings, Wayne from Minneapolis, Dennis (Shelly) Johnson from Minnetonka, sister-in-law, Sue (David) Campa from Crystal; as well as niece, Katie, and nephews, Richard, Jeff, and Aaron.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lavern and Marjorie Johnson.

Deanna Sjogren passed away peacefully at the Winthrop Good Samaritan Home shortly after Dennis had visited. She lived where she loved, at her farm until the week before her death, thanks to the care of her husband and Nancie Carlson, who for almost a year was a most devoted friend and caregiver. The day before Deanna passed, many of her closest friends had even visited her: Wendy, Paulette, Diane, Marilyn, Sue, Shirley, Lila, and others.

Though she passed far too soon, we were all blessed to have a few years to say goodbyes, and she was not in pain her last days. She loved deeply, honorably, and will be forever missed.

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