Deanna Nielsen, 78 year old Woodward resident, passed away Thursday, February 6, 2025 at her home in Woodward surrounded by her family. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 13, 2025 at the First Christian Church with Reverend Troy Hartley and Reverend Donnetta Hunter officiating. Burial will follow in the Elmwood Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Billings Funeral Home.

Deanna Gwendolyn (Foale) Nielsen was born on January 8, 1947 in Woodward, Oklahoma to Dean and Leona Mae (Jarman) Foale. Deanna grew up in Woodward and graduated from Woodward High School in 1965. She was united in marriage to Carl Dean Nielsen on October 15, 1977 in Clayton, New Mexico. They met on October 1, 1977 and went out on a date. Deanna knew he was the one, because three days after the date they were picking out rings at Meads Jewelry. They made their home in Woodward and have lived here since that time.

She was a member of the First Christian Church and was very involved with the children's choir at the church. Deanna wrote in February, that she hadn't been to church for a couple of years and she missed her church family dearly. Deanna enjoyed sewing, arranging flowers, making blarney stones, and she was involved in the Woodward Arts Theatre. Deanna was a member of the Red Hat Club, the VFW Auxiliary, and the Woodward Ambucs.

She is survived by her husband Carl Dean Nielsen of the home; one daughter, Carolyn Romano and husband Kirt; two sons: Duane Maddux and wife Shanna, Michael Maddux and wife Belenda; sister Barbara Hensley and husband Lowell; grandchildren: Levi Maddux, Andrew Nielsen, Preston "PJ" Jones IV, Justin Romano, Shawna (Standiford) Maddux and Brianna Maddux; great-grandchildren: Aaron, Katelyn, Amalie, Lilly, Rory, and Preston V; two very special nieces, Melinda Harding and Marcy Johnson; nephews, Loren Harris, Jeff Hensley and niece Jill Lintner; along with other relatives and many friends.

Deanna was preceded by her parents, Dean and Leona Foale, in-laws, Andy and Ella Nielsen, mother-in-law Nina Maddux, sister-in-law Laura Love and husband Benny, great nephew, Jordan Wells and a nephew Lonnie Harris.