Deana Derby, 48, of Grinnell, died on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at MercyOne Medical Center in Newton.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, September 1, 2023, at the Grinnell Christian Church. A luncheon and celebration of life will follow the service at the Grinnell College Golf Course.

Visitation with the family present will be held from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Thursday, August 31st at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to the Grinnell Area Arts Council, to benefit the junior play, and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Deana's family online at www.smithfh.com.

Deana Lyn Bryan was born the daughter of Dearn Lee Bryan and Bertha Louise (Blattner) Bryan on March 7, 1975 in Shattuck, Oklahoma.

Deana was united in marriage to Joseph Ian Derby on May 27, 1995 in Trenton, Missouri. They lived in Trenton and moved to Grinnell, Iowa in 2001. They were blessed with two daughters, Temesha and Kapria.

Deana held a strong love for athletics, especially softball and volleyball. She was a fierce competitor, whether it was playing or coaching the sport. She was inspirational to many young athletes and taught them not only how to play the sport, but how to blossom into a strong, confident, and supportive person. She was very artistic and spent countless hours creating decor, crafting, and writing. Her other enjoyments included bird watching, mushroom hunting, kayaking, going to amusement parks, and reading. Most of all, Deana loved her family and did her very best to provide for them.

Deana is survived by her husband, Joe Derby of Grinnell; two daughters, Temesha Derby of Kansas City, Missouri and Kapria Derby of Grinnell; her mother, Bertha "Lou" Bryan of Grinnell; her siblings, Danette (Tim) Moore of Gower, Missouri, Don (Pam) Bryan of Gilman, Iowa; and her step-sister, Kami Horton-Smith of Independence, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her father, Dearn Bryan, grandmother Frances Brummitt "Grandma Two," and uncle, Russ Blattner.