Deanna Stiegelmeyer Obituary

Deanna Marie Hinkle Stiegelmeyer, known to all as Dee, was born May 31, 1957 to Russell and Ruby McLane Hinkle in Hayden, Colo. They lived in Craig, Colo. when she was born, and she grew up there and attended Moffat County schools. Dee graduated in 1975. She attended First Christian Church in Craig for most of her younger years. She went to work as a teen and continued working after she graduated high school. Dee worked as a nurse's aide for a time before moving to Cortez in July of 1984, where she began working at the Pony Express Restaurant and Lounge. She began dating the love of her life, Guy Stiegelmeyer in September of 1984 and moved to Mancos where they were married on Dec. 8, 1984. She worked at the Mancos Drug Store for a while before starting a family. Lesley was born Feb. 19, 1986 and later came Randal, born Dec. 24, 1987. The family moved back to Cortez after Randal was born. Dee stayed home to raise her family and then went to work for H&R Block as a tax consultant during two tax seasons in 1990 and 1991.

She began attending the First United Methodist Church in Cortez shortly after moving back. Dee was heavily involved in the church because she wanted to raise her children up in the way of the Lord. She also was hired on as the church's maintenance and housekeeper, where she worked for ten years before going to work at Trinity Lutheran Preschool as a teacher. She was affectionately known as "Miss Dee" by all the children and teachers. It was one of her passions to "teach the little children" and she did it with the love of Christ. She was certified in early childhood education and continued her studies through her employment at Trinity.

Dee's family was the center of her life, and she loved them with everything she had. As a family, they all loved to go fishing, camping, hunting, hiking, and spending time together.

She is survived by her parents; by her beloved husband Guy; her daughter, Lesley Peck and husband Joshua, and granddaughter Lily Jane of Spearfish, S.D.; son Randal of Cortez; sister Peggy Pouier of California; and many brothers and sisters-in-law; and (too many to mention) aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and so many beloved friends.

Above all, she loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was the focus of her being. Her greatest desire was to see all of her family and friends come to Jesus and be saved so they could live in the joy of the Lord as she so graciously did.

Dee passed away into the arms of her Savior and King at her home in Cortez on Feb. 21, 2012 at the age of 54.

We will cherish the life she lived and the love she showed to us all. She has left a permanent impression on our hearts and we will miss her dearly.

Services will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church at 100 N. Market Street in Cortez.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Dee's name to Trinity Lutheran Preschool.

Services are under the direction of Ertel Funeral Home. For further information or to send condolences, log on to www.ertelfuneralhome.com and click on the obituary section.