Deanna Jean Skillett

Deanna Jean Skillett (Wallace), age 70, passed away peacefully Saturday, October 4, 2025, at her home in Shawnee, OK surrounded by family.

She was born on December 6, 1954, in Burlington, KS to Wayne and Wilma Wallace (Farmers). Deanna graduated Waverly High School in 1972. She married her loving husband James “Jim” Skillett of fifty-two years on July 1, 1972, at the Methodist Church in Waverly, KS. In 1982 Jim and Deanna moved to Texas with their two sons.

Deanna was a homemaker for the first fifteen years of their marriage before working as a daycare provider for ten years and began her studies to further her education. She graduated from McLennan Community College in 1997 and started her twenty-two-year career as a Respiratory Therapist helping many patients over the years. Deanna enjoyed working at the hospital in Pulmonary Rehab until her retirement. Deanna loved sewing, embroidery, making Native American regalia, crochet, camping, traveling, kayaking, cruise ships, motorcycle riding, Blue Grass music, and played many string instruments. As Jim says, “she didn’t let the grass grow under her feet”. She worked for many years with the Boy Scouts and achieved many awards. Deanna loved singing in the choir, playing bells, and Bible Study at church where she spent many hours over the years. She loved making wedding and birthday cakes for people all over. She and Jim would travel to deliver and set up cakes for family and friends. Deanna always had a cake pan for any character or event to help celebrate everyone’s special occasion. Her precious joy was her children, her grandchildren, her great grandchildren along with her nieces and nephews. Deanna had a long battle with Crohn’s Disease and cancer twice. Deanna and her beautiful smile will be missed by so many. 

Deanna Jean Skillett is preceded in death by her parents Wayne and Wilma Wallace and her brother Darl Wallace. Deanna is survived by her husband James “Jim” Skillett; her two sons Kenneth (Erin) and Curt (Kala); grandchildren Elizabeth (Edward), Sarah, Bradley and Kasey; four great grandchildren; her brother David Wallace along with many nephews and nieces.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home in Lebo. Family will receive friends an hour before service at funeral home. Interment will follow service at Lincoln Cemetery in Lebo. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the church of your choice. Condolences can be expressed at Vanarsdalefs.com.