Deanna L. Hughes, 51, of Ponca, NE passed away at a Sioux City hospital on Tuesday, February 21, 2012.

Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at the Salem Lutheran Church in Ponca, NE with Rev. Dr. Bud Christenson officiating. Burial will be in Salem Cemetery, rural Ponca, NE. Visitation with the family present will begin at 5:00 P.M. on Friday, February 24, 2012, with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Mohr Funeral Home in Ponca, NE. Online condolences may be posted at www.mohrfuneralhome.com.

Deanna was born on October 12, 1960 in Sioux City, IA, the daughter of Betty (Sherman) and Raymond Harder, Jr. She attended Ponca High School, graduating in 1978. She married Mark Hughes on July 19, 1980 in Elk Point, SD. Deanna was employed at the Elms Health Care Center as a certified medication aide for approximately 20 years. Following her employment at the Elms, she was a homemaker.

She was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Ponca, NE.

Her greatest joy in life was being a mother and wife. Deanna loved to read and cook for her family. She was a very gentle and kind soul and loved spending time with her family. She also loved her dogs, Lex and Max.

Survivors include her husband, Mark Hughes of Ponca, NE; sons, Jeremiah Hughes of Ponca, NE and Scott Richie of Acton, MA; her mother, Betty Stark of Ponca, NE; sisters and brothers, Vivian (Alan) Kunkel of Correctionville, IA, Tom (Carlene) Stark of Ponca, NE, Virginia (Terry) Poulsen of Hornick, IA, Kathy Thompson of North Sioux City, SD, Joni (Don) Merical of Jackson, NE, Cheryl (Darrell) Roland, Tony (Anne) Stark, Tammy (Kenton) Book, all of Ponca, NE, Kevin (Teri) Harder of Jackson, NE; granddaughter, Jordyn Richie of Acton, MA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Deanna was preceded in death by her fathers, Raymond Harder, Jr. and Ralph Stark; and her mother and father-in-law, Ruth and William Hughes.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.
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