Deanna Rae (Schad) Clarke, 51, of Spearfish, SD, passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2010, in Spearfish.

Deanna was born September 27, 1958, in Faith, SD. She was welcomed into this world by her parents, Charles and Nyla (Wince) Schad, and older sisters, Terri and Lynette. In the years that followed, sisters Nathel and Cami, and brother Mike joined the Schad clan.

Deanna spent her childhood in Spearfish, graduating from Spearfish High School in 1976. Being the free spirit she was, she bounced around the midwest for a few years after high school before moving back to Spearfish to attend Black Hills State College. After several semesters of school, Deanna left school and found her true calling: being Mom.

"Mom" was the first to brag about her three wonderful sons. She and Victor Clarke were married on September 5, 1981, in Spearfish. They were and still are the proud parents of three sons. Jesse Ross was born May 27, 1983; Zachary William was born June 22, 1985; and Colter James was born May 23, 1987. Deanna spent the overwhelming majority of her adult life doing the best job raising her three boys. Depending on the season, she spent countless hours near the dugout at the ballfield, in the stands at the football field, or in a gymnasium watching basketball and wrestling. In the summer, she became "team Mom" to many of her boys' friends throughout the years.

In recent years, she moved back home to Spearfish and after a nearly twenty-seven year break went back to school at Black Hills State to earn her degree.

Deanna saw the good in people and was able to brighten the mood of any room. She was fun. Her laugh was infectious and she always had just the right thing to say when those around her needed to hear it most. She was a true friend, a best friend.

She is survived by her three boys, Jesse Clarke- Sioux Falls, SD; Zach Clarke- Lincoln, NE; and Colter Clarke- Wayne, NE; her parents Dr. Charles and Nyla Schad- Spearfish; sisters Terri (Dick) Dunwoody- Spearfish, Lynette (Teryl) Kelley- Sioux Falls, SD, Nathel (Jim) Coca- Gillette, WY, and Cami (Gary) Dohman- Spearfish; her brother Michael (Jackie) Schad- Rapid City; her ex-husband Victor Clarke- Whiteclay, NE; her dearest of friends Peter Cavallero, Jr.- Spearfish; numerous nieces and nephews; and friends from every corner of the country.

Funeral services will be on Friday, January 15, 2010, at 2:00 PM, at the United Church of Christ in Spearfish. Interment will take place at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established.

She will truly be missed!!

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels & Crematory of Spearfish, SD. Online condolences may be written at: www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com.