Deanna May Reichert

Deanna May Reichert (née Gettle), born May 1, 1961, in Regina, Saskatchewan, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2025, in Calgary, Alberta, surrounded by love. Deanna was the beloved daughter of Bernice and Ernest Gettle, and sister to Mark, Denise, Tracy, Nicole, Murray and Jason. She was predeceased by her parents and her sister Theresa.

In 1980, Deanna married Warren Reichert. Though their marriage ended in 2000, she continued to hold him close in her heart, always valuing him as her forever soul mate. Together they raised three cherished daughters: Michelle Reichert (and her partner Ben Gokiert, and daughter Thea), Samantha Reichert, and Shannon Lodder (and her partner Shawn Lodder, and their sons Addison, Elliott, Isaac, Aiden, and Samuel).

Deanna found her greatest joy in being a mother and grandmother. She loved caring for her daughters and grandchildren, and she poured her heart into being a homemaker. Deanna was famous among her family for her memorable home-cooked meals and baked goodies, passed down with love. She had a special bond and friendship with her daughter Samantha and sister Tracy. Both were true constants in her life - loving and caring for her in unforgettable ways for many years.

Deanna was a woman of many passions. To her family and friends, she will always be remembered not only as a strong, spirited woman but also as a true beauty, inside and out. She loved politics, gardening, and was a true movie buff with a lifelong cinematic passion. She also loved all things spooky and mysterious; whether it was a wild conspiracy or a good ghost story, she was all in. She had a wicked sense of humour, was a great storyteller, and always had something fascinating to share. She loved music, knew all the words to every song, and we’ll forever miss hearing her sing her favourites. She also treasured the holidays, especially Christmas, and always managed to capture the spirit of the season in a way that made it magical.

Her Cree roots from her mother’s side were an important part of her life, blending alongside her strong faith in God. Even when life handed her challenges and unfair turns, she remained steadfast in her belief that the Lord is always good. As the old hymn reminds us, “There’s a land that is fairer than day, and by faith we can see it afar.”

In her final days, she was still in good spirits, enjoying her favourite foods and drinks, sharing laughs, and saying goodbye to those she loved most. Her daughters and siblings already miss her more than words can say. Life will never be quite the same without her phone calls, her voice, and her laugh. But as the hymn promises, “In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore.”

In May 2026, the family will gather in Regina, the place of her birth, to celebrate her life together.

“Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m sixty-four?” - The Beatles