Obituary of Deanna Joyce Dow

Deanna Joyce Emmert was born on March 20, 1945 in Mason City, Iowa to John and Lois Emmert.  She grew up on the family farm and graduated from Mason City High School in 1963.  She attended North Iowa Area Community College and graduated from Iowa State University in 1967 with a bachelors degree in botany.
She met Dave Dow, the love of her life, at Mason City High School and she married him on September 4, 1966.  They had 2 children, Dawn and Daniel, while they lived in Ames, Iowa.  In June 1978, they moved to Loveland, Colorado.
Deanna was a high school biology teacher until Dawn was born, and then she became a full-time wife, mom, and eventually grandma.  Her teaching gift was fulfilled in the years that she volunteered as a Master Gardener with the Loveland Youth Gardeners program.  She also became a “tree advocate” with the CSU Extension Office, and she went on many “tree calls” to diagnose and suggest treatment for ailing trees. 
Deanna’s true passion was people, especially her family.  Nothing made her heart happier than time with her grandchildren and she was a proud and doting grandma.  She loved to have coffee and conversation with friends regularly and she had dear friends in all of her life circles…church, Master Gardeners, neighbors, and at North Shore Health and Rehab.
Deanna is survived by her daughter Dawn, son-in-law Joe (Joeson), and grandson Christopher Karr of Loveland.  She is survived by her daughter-in-law Belinda and grandchildren Lina, Isabelle, and Thomas Dow of Cypress, Texas.  Deanna is also survived by her sister Donita (Dick) McCoy and her brother Doyce (Trish) Emmert and her nephews and nieces.  
Deanna was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Dave and by her son, Daniel.  It was a joyous day for her when she joined them with Jesus in heaven.  
Deanna’s family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the staff at North Shore Health and Rehab where Deanna lived the last 14 months of her life.  Thank you for the excellent care, therapy, and friendship that you gave to Deanna and to us.  We will always be grateful!
Services will be held at Viegut Funeral Home, 1616 N. Lincoln Ave. in Loveland.  Visitation on Tuesday, October 25 from 4-7 pm.  Service on Wednesday, October 26 at 10 am.  Burial on Wednesday, October 26 at 1 pm at Loveland Burial Park.  There will be a reception at Viegut Funeral Home between the service and the burial.
Memorial donations in honor of Deanna Dow may be sent to Loveland Youth Gardeners, PO Box 1004, Loveland CO 80539.  Or donations may be made online at https://www.lovelandyouthgardeners.org/donate.