Deanna Grotheer

(From Parker Mortuary)

Deanna Carol Grotheer, age 54, Joplin, passed away on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at her home after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

Deanna was born December 21, 1964 in Joplin, one of three children born to Robert C. Dye and Anna Jean Cummins Dye. She graduated from Parkwood High School in 1983, where she was very involved with the Arts and Theatre Department. She was proud of her awards in Speech and Debate during her high school years. She was very instrumental in organizing the efforts involved to get permission to do the play, Mommy Dearest, at Parkwood. She remained very active with local theatre being part of the Pittsburg Community Theatre for years where she participated as a stage manager for several years.

She worked for years in local media, KODE, KSN, KSYN-KQYX radio, and with WRCB in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She did everything from running a camera, directing the noon time news, and wrote and directed commercials. She was also involved with Southeast Kansas Education Service Center in Greenbush, Kansas as a Distance Education Coordinator. Most recently she worked for Mercy as a receptionist.

She was a devoted mother, putting her children's needs ahead of her own, even at the end during her illness. She was involved with all of their activities, and loved spending time encouraging them.

She was preceded in death by her father, Robert C. Dye, who passed away August 6, 2008.

Survivors include her children, Kaleb Grotheer and wife Athena of Pittsburg, Kansas, and Morgan Grotheer of Joplin; mother, Anna Jean Dye of Joplin; former husbands, Russ Riesinger of Montana, and Donnie Grotheer of Pittsburg, Kansas; brother, David C. Dye of Carthage, Missouri; sister, Deborah Jean Mitchell of Joplin; grand puppies, Maxx, Charlie, and Gracie; nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be Monday, March 4, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul United Methodist Church with Rev. Aaron Brown officiating.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.