Memorial services for Deana Nelson, age 59, of Reeder, ND, will be held at 1:00pm Saturday, October 8, 2011 at the Reeder Community Center in Reeder, ND. Pastor Stephanie Swanson will officiate.


Deana Lea Hansey was born on July 9, 1952 in Bowman, ND to Denis and Bertha (Gerwick) Hansey. Deana attended rural school until their family moved to Scranton, where she graduated in 1970. She then went on to attend Wahpeton State School of Science and studied computers.


Deana had numerous jobs, but the ones she enjoyed the most were working as a dispatcher for the Mandan P.D., bartending and staying home with her family. Deana was a member of the Scranton American Legion Auxiliary Post #151 for 43 years. She loved art projects and was very good at painting. and she always gave away her projects to others. She also loved to go hunting, bowling, fishing, traveling and riding motorcycle with her husband Rudy.


She loved telling stories and jokes, often giving advice and words of wisdom, while bartending, a job she loved. Deana loved her grandkids, nieces and nephews. She took great pleasure in helping others whenever and wherever she could.


On February 21, 2004 she married Rodney "Rudy" Nelson in Reeder, ND, her lifelong companion of many years.


Deana passed away on Monday, October 3, 2011 at the West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger. She will be deeply missed by all of those who know and love her.

Surviving family members include her husband, Rodney Nelson, Reeder, ND; daughter, Desra Zaccardi, Reeder, ND; two brothers, Terry Hansey, Nye, Montana, and Gail Hansey, Scranton, ND; sister, Gwyn (fiancé Charles Hall) Glen Ullin, ND; five grandchildren, Joshua Zaccardi, Chyanna Zaccardi-Jordan, Wyatt Versteeg, Jaison Zaccardi and EmmaLea Zaccardi, nephew, Brekkin Hansey and niece, Quinn Hansey.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Mitchel,; one sister, Noelene; two infant siblings, Thane and Renee, and nephew Caleb Patton.