Deanna Belknap

Deanna Belknap, 82, of Eldora, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 19, 2026, surrounded by her loving family at Eldora Specialty Care. A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Adams Celebration of Life, with a light lunch served during the visitation. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m., with graveside services at Steamboat Rock Cemetery immediately following. With honor, Adams Celebration of Life is serving the family.

Deanna was born on January 29, 1943, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Henry and Delores Wendland. 

On December 28, 1972, Dee was united in marriage to Francis Belknap, the love of her life, in Yankton, South Dokata.  Together they shared a life filled with love and devotion. They were blessed with three children, and Dee’s family was always the center of her world.

Dee was known for her warm smile and friendly nature. She worked as a waitress; a role perfectly suited to her outgoing personality and genuine care for others. She also worked in a daycare, where she found great joy caring for children and being part of their early lives.

In her free time, Dee loved dancing, going on trips to Dubuque to watch the leaves change colors, gardening, and spending hours browsing garage sales with Francis. Above all else, she cherished time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. At the end of the day, her family was what mattered most to her, and her love for them was evident in everything she did.

Dee was a member of Eldora United Methodist Church and Lutheran Church in Rockwell City. 

Deanna will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.

She is survived by her children, Roger Belknap of Eldora, Marsha Pettigrew-Schossow and husband, Shane of State Center, and Rodney (Shawn) Garrington of Wellsburg; sisters, Joann (Dana) Weisenborn, Connie (Stan) Lumbra; brothers, Walley (Sheryl) Wendland and Roger (Ruth) Wendland, grandchildren, Brent, Mandy, Heath, Hope, Kadin, Brenden, Hunter, Tharren, Kynnick, and Jaxson; great-grandchildren, Ellea, Khole, Ari, and Bray Stuart; and by many nieces and nephews.  

Preceded her in death was her husband, Francis Belknap; mother and father, Delores and Henry Wendland; son-in-law, Stuart Pettigrew; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Marion and Gordon Wood; nephews, Kevin Headlee and Shane Wendland. 

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.