Deanna Norman Otten

Deanna (Darlene) Norman Otten passed away on July 2nd, 2025 in Kansas City, a day after her 87th birthday surrounded by family and friends. Dee, as everyone knew her, was born in Lathrop, Missouri, the daughter of Ray and Emma Norman in 1938. Ray, who was a veteran of World War II, lost his leg in the war in the battle of Okinawa. He spent the rest of his life in service working with veterans, while sometimes humoring Dee and her younger sister Carol by removing his wooden leg in front of them. Her mother Emma lived until 97 and doted on her two daughters.

Dee worked as a candy-striper and a carhop at Clem’s Drive-In and graduated from Northeast High School in Kansas City. She then moved with her family to St. Louis where she worked for North American Rockwell. In her twenties, Dee went out to the West Coast where she met her husband Leo Wayne Otten at the Tahitian Village in Downey, California.

Independent and industrious, Dee was a pioneer for women of her era, working in the early days of aerospace in operations for companies like Rockwell, Acurex, and Spacecom. She is remembered by co-workers as a mentor helping them with their own careers. Her niece Natalie recalls seeing one of the first computers in one of the companies Dee was working for then that was the size of an entire building. Natalie also learned to love Los Angeles through her aunt, especially when Dee would offer piles of E tickets for Disneyland to her and her brother Norman, both of whom periodically stayed with their beloved Aunt.

Dee and Leo bought their first house in Downey and their second home in La Mirada, cited by Money Magazine as one of the best places to live in Southern California. Dee and Leo tended to an elaborate garden there where they grew roses, cacti, and fresh tomatoes. Dee fully enjoyed the California lifestyle, driving a Mustang and taking frequent trips with stepsons Mark and Mike where they would enjoy boating, motorcycle riding, and watersports. She and Leo also loved traveling, bowling, and dancing, and had a love of animals including their Cocker Spaniels Scotty, Buffy, Rusty, Gypsy, Poopsie, and Pokey. Dee later had two additional dogs Peaches and Sugar and several cats.

Dee kept an immaculate house, and also was a great cook, opening up her home for festive occasions, making friends and acquaintances feel like part of her extended family as she served pots full of mashed potatoes, her famous artichoke dip served in a bread bowl, and sheets of Christmas cookies. In 2003, Dee and Leo moved back to Kansas City in part to help take care of Dee’s mother Emma with her sister Carol. When their mother passed away in 2010, the sisters remained close, talking daily until Dee’s sudden illness several months ago which sidelined her from her otherwise active life. Friends and neighbors recall just before that, Dee being engaging, kind, and a joy to know. Dee is predeceased by her mother, father, and husband, and is survived by her sister Carol, her stepson Mark and his wife Vickie, her nephew Norman, her niece Natalie and husband Carl, and great-niece Campbell Kurlander. A lifelong Christian, she attended many churches when she was growing up and through her life. In lieu of flowers donations may be directed to the animal shelter of your choice. She will be missed but never forgotten.

Services will be held at Newcomer’s Floral Hills Funeral Home, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., KCMO, (816)353-1218 at 2 p.m. on Thursday July 10th.