Deanna Lynn Ward’s wishes were to be cremated and remembered with fond memories. There were no public services scheduled. Arrangements under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel and Crematory (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Contributions to City Union Mission L. Minor Care Center. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.
Deanna “Dee Dee” Lynn Ward (née Diana Ward) was born August 8,1948 in Kansas City, Missouri. She died early morning, Friday, December 26, 2025, and is finally in the arms of a loving Father. Much of what is known about Dee Dee’s life is anecdotal; records of her family or childhood history are hard to find.
Here is what is known: Dee Dee Ward was a survivor…a tiny human being with a very great heart. Her parents, Kenneth Ward and Lola Hawley, could not care for her. As a result, she spent her childhood and young adult life in state mental facilities, foster homes and group homes. Deinstitutionalized in 1971, she became homeless. Dee Dee depended on shelters, HUD housing and other charitable resources throughout her life. Feisty and courageous, she was well known and often well loved by members of Kansas City’s social service industry. She was a regular at City Union Mission and Grand Avenue Temple, and the state, federal and mental health facilities that supported her. We are grateful to all who cared for Dee Dee and even bent a rule or two for her when necessary. Dee Dee taught us all about overcoming fear, about resilience and about love. Her final months were spent at Butler Rehabilitation and Health Center in Butler, Missouri where the staff treated her with grace and kindness. She is preceded in death by her parents; her partner, Raymond Davis; and her son Shawn who died in 2007 during combat operations in Baghdad. She is survived by her sons, Kenny and Charlie. If you would like to make a gift in honor of Dee Dee’s life to support the Deanna L. Ward Fund for City Union Mission’s L. Minor Care Center, please give here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/deannaward. The fund will support individuals experiencing homelessness who have behavioral, mental, emotional and developmental challenges and are sheltered at the Care Center. For more information about Dee Dee’s life, email Julie Larocco at julielarocco57@gmail.com.
