Deana E. Roe, 71

Deana E. Roe passed away Nov. 9, 2012, at her Kalispell home with her longtime companion, Don Coverdell, by her side. After a short illness, “she went to be with her Lord in a more peaceful place.”

Deana was born Aug. 18, 1941, in Ipswich, S.D., to Eva Gabriel and Dean Hess. Her family relocated to the Flathead Valley, where Deana attended school and made many lifelong friends who still think about her every day.

She met and married Tom Johnson, and in 1958, she became the loving and devoted mother to her only son, Nels Johnson. Tom and Deana were divorced in 1972, after an extended separation. She then married Larry Roe in 1973. Larry passed away in 1976.

Always a hard worker, Deana and her sister, Donna Chandler Welter, purchased and operated 4 Corners bar in Kalispell from 1976 through 1980. After the bar was sold Deana assumed many managerial positions in the Western United States. In the late 1980s, she was finally able to pursue her passions of gardening, cooking, and caring for her cats (Elizabeth and Sable) whom she loved dearly.

Deana is survived by her son, Nels Johnson, of Kalispell; her longtime partner, Don Coverdell; two sisters, Donna Weller and husband Gary of Kalispell, and Gladys Jones and husband Clyde of Kila; sister-in-law, Mary Hess of Conrad; uncles, Andrew and Frank Gabriel of South Dakota; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and loving friends, all of whom love and miss her dearly.

Deana was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Jerry Hess; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.