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Deanna O'Toole

Lead Summary

Deanna Bernadette O’Toole, 94, Luverne, died Wednesday, May 20, 2020.
       A private family graveside service will be St. Catherine’s Catholic Cemetery in Luverne.                     Deanna Vatland was born in 1925 in Luverne to Berndt and Mary (Skoland) Vatland, who had both immigrated to Minnesota from Norway. After graduating from Luverne High School in 1943, Deanna moved to Chicago to support the war effort by working in a transistor radio component factory. Upon her return, she worked at the Bell Telephone Company in Luverne.
       She met and married Raymond O’Toole in 1947.  Together they raised seven children while farming.  Deanna helped by managing the milk house, gardening and caring for the family. From the 1960s through the 1980s she worked at various jobs. She co-owned and managed the local Dairy Queen, was a clerk at J.C. Penney’s and at Nelson Brothers store, and worked at the Luverne Medical Center.
       For many years Deanna volunteered with the Magnolia School, the Magnolia Juniors 4-H Club, Meals on Wheels, the Luverne Community Hospital, and St. Catherine Catholic Church. She was a companion for elderly community members and helped raise grandchildren over the years.
       Deanna was a member of her church circle and a circle of high school classmates. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, the local gardening club, the Luverne Wood Makers Club and Rock County VFW Auxiliary Post 2757.
       Deanna had a love for birds and flowers. Her beautiful yard on Main Street brought joy to those going by. She enjoyed welcoming others to her home.
       Deanna spent the last several years of her life in the home of one of her daughters.
       Deanna is survived by sons Patrick (Brent Dierks) and Mark, daughters Mary Jo (Darrell Hemme), Kathleen (Gary Dahedl), and Barbara (Paul Brehm); grandchildren Brittney (Chris Hall), Alexander (Caitlin Brehm), Andrew (Leah Hemme), Brianna, Madeline, Hanna (Dustin Walters), Sophia and Gavin; four great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Marion Coleman, Ardith Rush and Audrey Bargisen; and nieces, nephews and cousins.
       Deanna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Raymond; two brothers, Anders and Melvin; and two sons, Michael and Jeffrey. 
       Arrangements were provided by Dingmann Funeral Home of Luverne, dingmannandsons.com.
 (0528 F)

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