Deena was actually raised by Pat and J.O. Wieland and grew up in Rio Blanco County, Colo.
Deena really went to a one-room school house called Rock School, just like the Little House on the Prairie. They lived on a ranch with her brother, Robert, and sister, Vicki. I think this is one of the places that really formed her life; this is where tragedy could have stuck. Deena was severely burned and almost died at the age of nine but she survived. She was truly Country Strong.
The family moved to the Town of Meeker, Colo., in 1972, when Deena was in sixth grade. She was very self-conscious and humble because of the scarring from the burns. To her credit, she became very popular and made friends easily, many that she was still friends with as adults. She was a cheerleader and even Homecoming queen her senior year in 1977.
After high school, Deena went to a medical technician school in Denver for a year, was graduated, and then moved to Grand Junction, Colo., and worked for a dermatologist. Then another life changing experience happened, her mom passed away when she was only 23. So many times she would wish to talk to her mom as our lives went on with the small and big challenges.
In Grand Junction, Andre and Deena met in a bar called Suds n Sounds. They had one dance and after that she knew she would marry that guy as she told her friends. They were wed on June 12, 1982, and that’s when the adventure began.
They traveled right from the beginning and, after a little while, a little addition named Alex came along in 1985. From Utah to Massachusetts and then in New Jersey, they stayed together when another addition was added named Nicole. Andre worked as an electrician while Deena worked in several doctors’ offices.
They finally ended up in the Pacific Northwest in Vancouver, Wash. Deena again would work for doctors’ offices after the children started school. Andre started coaching and Deena learned the term “Team Mom.” After a few years, she learned to delegate and others were asked to be team moms, but she was always right there for a child that needed a ride or extra snacks or maybe just a hug after a rough game; truly our teams’ biggest fan.
Working, team mom, cooking, cleaning, all of this and still such a sweet person to all. Deena was a beautiful and amazing person; she raised a family, became a successful business owner and bravely fought cancer for 20 years. Deena still had smile on her face and faith in God.
