Obituary of Deena K. Hansen

HANSEN DEENA

Deena Kelley Hansen, age 60, of Yankton passed away unexpectedly in a car accident Tuesday, September 3, 2024. Her ashes will be buried in the Geraldson Family Cemetery, rural Utica.  A Celebration of Life will be held at Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home October 26^th at 2pm with visitation with the family beginning at 1pm.  Online condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. 

Deena was born September 3,1964 in Hawthorne, California to Sydney and Rosalie (Hollman) Hansen. She attended Yankton High School as a member of the Class of 1982 and later obtained her GED. She worked at various places after high school including the Human Services Center, King Dragon, and nannying in New York City. She lived briefly in Colorado and California before returning to Yankton in 1989, where she remained and worked as an Avon Representative for several decades, followed by other community services such as dog-sitting and helping people with house cleaning and landscaping.

Deena will be remembered for so many things.  She absolutely loved music.  She was a terrific singer, with karaoke being a favorite activity of hers, and she especially loved singing Patsy Cline songs. Another love of hers was her plants. She grew beautiful plants and provided self-made videos of her beautiful plants on her deck. So many asked for her advice about what to do for their plants.  Many others will remember Deena as the caring soul who cleaned their houses, ran their errands, provided transportation and companionship for them, and made their yards look spectacular. But what Deena will be most remembered for is her love of animals.  Our mom used to always say Deena was fearless when it came to dogs…She could walk up to any dog and instantly be their friend, and she cared for so many furry friends throughout the years, often becoming a second mother to them.

Deena is survived by sisters Laurie Hansen of Spearfish, SD and Janel Hansen of Sioux City, IA; brother Steven Hansen of Yankton, SD; nephews Matthew (Karen) Neisen of Spearfish, SD and Nick Neisen of Spearfish, SD; niece Whitney Neisen of Omaha, NE; grandniece Maci Neisen and grandnephew Koen Neisen of Spearfish, SD; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and because she could talk to anyone about anything and treated everyone like they were her best friend, so, so, so many dear friends.

Deena was greeted at the heavenly gate by her parents, Sydney and Rosalie Hansen, sister Holly Hansen, beloved friend Tammi Ptak, and smothered with kisses at the Rainbow Bridge by Dylan, Fozzie, Sara, Charlie, Poopy, Sade, Cruella, Samantha, Dexter, Lenny, Gracie, and Sophie Hansen; Charlie and Lucy Hoffner, and so many countless other furry friends she made throughout her years.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local Humane Society or Animal Rescue.
Memorial funds will be designated for a Memorial Bench for Deena at the Marne Creek West Dog Park.  Additional funds will be donated in Deena’s name to Heartland Humane Society.