Deanna Marie Yater

Deanna Marie Yater of Rochester Hills, Michigan went to be with her Lord
suddenly after a long struggle with heart complications on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital. She was 55 years old. Deanna was born January 15, 1970, in Detroit, Michigan to Patricia (née Sherosky) and Joel Kesler.
Deanna was preceded in death by her brother, Brian Kesler, her husband, Robert Yater, and her parents Joel and Patricia Kesler.
Deanna is survived by her two sisters, Jennifer (Joseph Frank) Reid and Kara (Kevin) Hess; niece, Olivia Hess; Uncle Aubrey Kesler; Aunt Malinda Kesler; Aunt Rita Barczyk and many, many cousins.
Deanna was passionate in her job role as a caregiver for seniors as well as special needs children. She took pride in her work ethic and enjoyed all the aspects of patient care. She also spent a period of time managing a storage facility with her late husband, Robert Yater. Deanna was gifted with artistic talent and loved to play piano, paint, draw and make crafts.
Deanna had a true love for animals. She would often befriend wild animals and make them her pets that she would feed and talk to every day on the Troy house back porch. One of her favorite pets was her cat Mittens. Mittens showed up on their Troy doorstep and never left. Mittens has been Deanna's buddy for many years and slept on a pillow next to Deanna every night.
Deanna loved the holidays and especially loved decorating her home for each one. She would spend Saturdays with her mom and sister, Kara, at local craft shows picking out the perfect piece for her holiday displays.
Deanna enjoyed watching tv and cheering on Detroit's sports teams with her dad. She also loved watching shows on TLC. But one of her favorite stations was QVC, just like her mother, Pat, and Aunt Rita.
Deanna loved listening to music. Her favorite was rock and roll. She loved all music from the 80's. She used to roller skate every Friday and Saturday night at Skate World to her favorite tunes. Her sisters have fond memories of rocking on the couches, listening to the boom box Deanna held in her lap, that was always on station 95.5 while their parents were out for the evening.
Deanna has especially enjoyed the last 10 months of her life after moving into her Independent Living apartment at American House Rochester Hills. She stayed busy going on bus trips, playing bingo, going to exercise class three times a week and really enjoyed the special presentations and parties on a regular basis. She was considered the local "fashionista" there because she always showed up for every occasion wearing colorful and fun clothing. Staff and friends at American House loved and appreciated Deanna's sweet spirit and smiling face.
Family and friends may visit at Potere-Modetz Funeral Home, 339 Walnut Boulevard, Rochester, Michigan, on Saturday, April 12, Noon-2pm. A memorial service will follow visitation at 2pm. Burial will take place in Attica Cemetery, Attica, Michigan.
Memorials appreciated to the Michigan Humane Society.
Checks made payable to "Michigan Humane," mailed to:
Michigan Humane, Attn: Philanthropy, 30300 Telegraph Rd, Ste. 220, Bingham Farms, MI 48025.
On-line at: www.michiganhumane.org/support-michigan-humane/