Deanna Lee Neldeberg-Bachman

Deanna Lee Neldeberg-Bachman February 22, 1943-January 30, 2022 She went to sleep smiling, surrounded by those who loved her fiercely and tirelessly in an unyielding and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. For those of you that knew our mother, you knew her smile and laughter filled rooms. Her mere presence rippled joy. Deanna Lee Mander was born to Lula Mae (Ellis) and Edward Milo Mander on February 22, 1943, in Onawa, Iowa in the farmhouse her father built. Her childhood was spent in the gardens, amidst flowers and animals, living a life of a midwestern farm girl along with her older sister Jeaneane (Malmberg). Summertime was filled with hoeing beans, detasseling corn, family picnics, and the camper trips to the Iowa State Fair. She attended Holly-Springs Hornick Schools, participated in 6 on 6 basketball in her skirt and bobby socks, and graduated as the Salutatorian of her class in 1961. The stars aligned, and she met a farm kid from Whiting, Iowa named John Erving Neldeberg. They married in 1962 and created probably one of the most awesome packages of children to ever coexist-Brenda Lee (Romero), John Edward, and Amy Elizabeth (Lane). These Children of the Corn roamed the streets of Whiting, Iowa as their mother attended Morningside College, worked for Dr. Wagner at Wagner Orthodontics, and eventually began what would be her lifetime career in the Emergency Management field starting in the basement of the Onawa, Iowa police department. In 1986 she transitioned to Marshalltown with Amy & John in tow to begin a new chapter as the Emergency Management Director of Marshall County. It was there she began to blaze trails in the field of federal programs for emergency management. As a female leader, she pushed for the early adoption of 9-11 systems, Racom to develop a state radio system, and rallied for the implementation of emergency systems. She was known as the “Tornado Lady”- taking her educational tour of being safe during turbulent weather on the road and sharing safety measures that would go on to earn her multiple board nominations including ISAC, the Marshall County Board of Health, The American Red Cross, and recipient of the National Weather Radios Grant. In 2001, she married Dennis Bachman. The couple continued to reside in Marshalltown, Iowa until 2016 when they relocated to Altoona, Iowa. She and Dennis enjoyed travels to Alaska, Hawaii, The Smoky Mountains, and Florida where they would winter. Their time in Altoona was filled with the GO group and weekly trips to the New Hope Christian Church. If you were to ask Deanna, “why chemo?” this third time, the answer was simple- “my grandchildren.” She would often tell us, “You never truly experience anything until you experience grandkids. Grandchildren are a blessing- if I knew they were this much fun, I would have had them sooner.” The grandchildren who celebrate her joy and life, only wish they would have had her smile, her strength, and her love a little longer. So she will continue to look upon Wade Fegenbush, Blake Neldeberg, and Kreyton, Carter, & Lula Lane with joy, pride, and the fiercest of love that one can hold for another being. Always reminding them that Every Day is a Gift…. Funeral services to celebrate the life of Deanna will take place on Friday, February 4 at 11:00 A.M. at New Hope Christian Church in Marshalltown. Friends and family are also invited to attend a visitation on Thursday, February 3 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at New Hope Christian Church with Pastor Kerry Jech officiating. Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Deanna and her family. For additional questions or to leave a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. For those unable to attend, services will be available at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell-Family-Funeral-Home-99280714047/. - Lovingly written by her family