DEANNA MARIE PETRU

Deanna Marie Petru, 56, died July 2, 2010, in Anchorage.

A memorial service will be held Saturday at Loon Lake in Houston.

She was born on June 1, 1954 in Crookston, Minn., to John and Dorothy (Adams) Kratzke. In 1990, Deanna moved to Alaska and eventually settled in Palmer. Deanna was a retired computer technician, accountant, swim instructor and worked in various other occupations. She loved spending time with her grandchildren. She was an avid reader and an NBA fanatic.

Her family stated, “Deanna is many things to a lot of different people. Her presence will be missed, but her memory will live strong through all of the individuals that she touched throughout her life. Her loving husband, extensive family, friends, students, neighbors and community will remember her loud, funny, eccentric demeanor that was unlike any other. Deanna was very caring, giving and compassionate. We are all infinitely grateful for the time and memories we were able to share with her.”

Deanna is survived by her husband, Walter Petru of Palmer; daughter, Angela (Chris) Pobieglo of Anchorage; son, Eric Knight of Phoenix, Ariz.; daughter, Amanda Petru of Phoenix; son, Benjamin Petru of Phoenix; grandchildren, Nic, Catie and Nate Pobieglo of Anchorage; mother, Dot Kratzke of Dent, Minn.; mother-in-law, Josephine Petru of Dent; sisters, Joan (Jeff) Cole of Minneapolis, Minn., Jill (Jan) Januszewski of Perham, Minn., and Jackie (Harvey) Tantilla of Wasilla; brothers, John (Cindy) Kratzke of Dent, Jeff (Patti) Kratzke of Cave Creek, Ariz., Jim (Cathy) Kratzke of Perham and Joe (Zoilla) Kratzke of Hudson Oaks, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her father, John Kratzke, and brother, Jay Kratzke.

Memorial sentiments can be sent to 484 N. Bonanza, Palmer, AK 99645.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.