Deana Marie Olsen was born on February 27, 1949 in Council Bluffs, Iowa on her maternal Grandparent’s 25th wedding Anniversary. Deana was the daughter of Duane and Dorothy (Brenneman) Olsen. Deana attended Kindergarten through 12th grade at Treynor Consolidated Schools and graduated in 1967. Growing up Deana developed a passion for music, her passion started with playing the piano at a young age, in 8th grade under the guidance of her Grandma Stupfell she began playing the organ at church and accompanying choirs. Her instrumental talent did not stop with the piano and organ, in school she mastered playing tuba in the school band.
Deana was very active growing up and till this day many of her accomplishments are unknown because of her humble nature. 4-H played an influential role in her life where she cherished the time she spent with her two biggest role models; her Dad was the 4-H leader of the livestock club and her Grandma Olson was her 4-H leader. Deana loved showing calves and worked for a cattle firm where she attended many livestock shows all over the country. In 1968, during the Nebraska State Fair, she met a gentleman that shared her love for livestock, David Guhde, he was the love of her life.
Deana and David were united in marriage on December 28, 1969 in Treynor, Iowa. They began their lives together with a $125 4-wheel drive truck on a rented farm that sat on a mud road. Deana and David worked side by side to build a business they loved, they were able buy a farm off that mud road and build all new facilities to continue their dreams. Deana had been very active in the Nebraska Porkettes and was in line to become the State President when she found out she was pregnant with Jenny. On March 24, 1982, David and Deana welcomed their only daughter, Jennifer Anne into the family, at that time they thought their family was complete. Jenny was the light of their lives and learned by their examples in life, love, and business. As a family they enjoyed spending time together traveling across the country to watch Jenny shine in the show ring and that love and devotion has been passed on to their one and only grandchild, Brock David Studer. As Brock grew up so did her love for football, wrestling and baseball, Deana attended every sporting event possible to watch Brock compete. Brock and Nana G enjoyed cooking, shopping, and trying new restaurants together.
After many years of hard work, determination and patience, David and Deana celebrated all their accomplishments at their 50th wedding anniversary on December 29, 2019, with family and friends. Deana devoted her life to working side by side with her best friend and husband, David, building a nationally known swine business that they loved. Together they raised purebred swine, exhibited at livestock shows throughout the country and sold breeding stock coast to coast and internationally. When the farming industry changed Deana knew that she would need to change, in 2001 she became a licensed realtor and once again worked hard to become a successful Realtor in Nebraska and Iowa.
Growing up, Deana cherished the time spent going to church with her Grandma Olsen. After marriage Deana and David’s faith remained an ever-constant presence in their life together and in the 1980’s a small group felt that Nebraska City, NE needed an Evangelical Free Church. Once again, the Lorrd blessed them, and they turned their vision into a reality and Calvary Community Church was formed. Deana worked with others to set policies for women’s ministries and stocking the new kitchen. She continued her love for music over the next 40 years, playing in every church service and sometimes in two different churches on Sunday mornings. Deana also played for numerous weddings and funerals throughout the area, she truly was a servant of the Lord.
Deana inherited her grandmother’s passion for cooking and entertaining and will be remembered for her entertaining throughout the years at the Guhde Family home. Deana hosted their family at all holidays, the family Church Christmas at their home always ended with her playing the pipe organ in the living room and the traditional candlelight service. She also hosted seniors from Calvary Community Church at monthly dinners and the annual 4th of July church gathering. Over the years she hosted over 50 hog sales where the meal was always a highlight, she served a different twist on smoked pork with all the fixings and her famous baked apples. Deana has passed on her love of entertaining to Jenny and Brock.
Deana celebrated her love of music and the Christmas season all year long and if you took a ride with her, you would most likely hear her favorites, Mannheim Steamroller and Pentatonix, blaring from her CD player.
Those left to cherish her memory includes her daughter, Jenny (Cody) and grandson Brock of Creston, IA; brother Roger (Shery) Olsen of Story City, IA; brother Reed (Janet) Olsen of Mt. Ayr, IA; Richard (Colene) Olsen and other family and friends.
She is preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband, David; infant son Daniel; and her parents Duane and Dorothy Olsen Memorial contributions may be made to the Deana M. and David F. Guhde Memorial Scholarship for High School Seniors going to college, current college students seeking a Degree in Agriculture or young farmers getting started in Agriculture.
Celebration of Life Services will be held Thursday (2/10) at 1:00 p.m. at Calvary Community Church in Nebraska City. For those unable to attend, the services will be live-streamed on Calvary Community Church’s Facebook Page beginning at 12:50 p.m. on Thursday. For those that would rather remain in their car in the Calvary Community Church parking lot for the services, you can tune into 91.1 FM to listen to the services. Burial will be held at Camp Creek Cemetery south of Nebr. City. There will also be a triumphant celebration and fellowship with family and friends at 2:30 p.m. at the church.
There will be Open Visitation on Wed. (2/9) at Gude Mortuary in Nebr. City from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The family will greet friends prior to the service on Thursday (2/10), from 12;00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the church.
