Obituary for Deanna L. Draves (Wickman)
Deanna Lynn Draves, age 71, passed away at home in Spread Eagle, Wis., on July 10, 2022, after battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). She was a 1969 graduate of Iron Mountain High School and a 1979 graduate of the Flint Institute of Barbering. Throughout her professional career, she owned and operated several award-winning businesses in the Iron Mountain area, including The Savage Mane, Laurila’s, and Curves for Women.
Deanna was a wonderful wife, daughter, sister, mother, and grandmother who was always there when anyone needed her. Deanna was immensely proud of her family and leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories. Family came first and was above all else to Deanna, a value she instilled in all those around her. The hole left by her absence is impossible to fill. She was a loyal friend and was a well-loved member of all the communities where she resided, including Iron Mountain, Mich., Spread Eagle, Wis., Hibbing, Minn., Brooksville, Fla., and Sarasota, Fla.
In addition to being dedicated to her family, Deanna held an unwavering faith in God, which she shared with those who surrounded her. No matter where she resided, she was an active volunteer in the churches she attended. Deanna was also an animal lover, so when she no longer had a pet to call her own, she volunteered at her local pet shelter. She also had many hobbies that kept her very busy right up to the last few months of her life. Most notably, being an avid gardener and belonged to the local gardening club, The Gardening Angles. She was a “Jill” of all trades, a self-taught master of just about ANYTHING, including gardening, sewing, knitting, beading, woodworking, and pretty much anything that kept her hands busy. She was especially talented at making jewelry. Friends and family would encourage her to sell her crafts, but Deanna would say, “then it would take away all the fun.”
She is survived by her husband, David Draves. Deanna and David were Iron Mountain classmates, and after high school, they both went their separate ways. They reconnected in 2006 at a classmate reunion and were married in 2008. A match truly made in heaven. She is also survived by her mother, Dorothy Wickman of Iron Mountain, Mich.; brother, Darrell (Willie) Wickman of Harvard, Mass.; son Kirk Pietrantonio of Iron Mountain, Mich.; daughter Kammi (Mike) Cavalieri of Castle Rock, Colo.; stepsons, Steven (Kari) Draves of Woodbury, Minn., Mark (Natalie) Draves of Oshkosh, Wis., and Kevin (Brianne) Draves of Rogers, Minn.; grandchildren, Brittany (Matt) Schumaker, Tassie Pietrantonio (Terry Clark), Jaidyn and Jayce Cavalieri and Gavin, Brayden and Jase Draves; great-grandchildren, Cora and Crosby Schumaker, Giovanni Pietrantonio and Jovon Clark; beloved niece Mary Beth (David) Pellegrini; sister-in-laws Jackie (Randy) Hallman; brothers-in-law Dale (Shelly) Draves, and Dan (Terri) Draves; and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Deanna joins her father, Donald Wickman, and nephew, Geoffrey Wickman, in Heaven. Now that Deanna has passed into the arms of our Lord, we should remind ourselves that while this is the end of Deanna’s physical life on Earth, it’s the beginning of an eternal and beautiful journey for her.
Visitation will be at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Iron Mountain, Mich., on Monday, July 18, 2022, from 10 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. A celebration of Deanna’s life will follow at the church at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Bryan Laurila will officiate. A luncheon will be served in Luther Hall immediately following the Service.
Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Deanna’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Florence, Wisc., to honor Deanna’s legacy of life.
Deanna was a wonderful wife, daughter, sister, mother, and grandmother who was always there when anyone needed her. Deanna was immensely proud of her family and leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories. Family came first and was above all else to Deanna, a value she instilled in all those around her. The hole left by her absence is impossible to fill. She was a loyal friend and was a well-loved member of all the communities where she resided, including Iron Mountain, Mich., Spread Eagle, Wis., Hibbing, Minn., Brooksville, Fla., and Sarasota, Fla.
In addition to being dedicated to her family, Deanna held an unwavering faith in God, which she shared with those who surrounded her. No matter where she resided, she was an active volunteer in the churches she attended. Deanna was also an animal lover, so when she no longer had a pet to call her own, she volunteered at her local pet shelter. She also had many hobbies that kept her very busy right up to the last few months of her life. Most notably, being an avid gardener and belonged to the local gardening club, The Gardening Angles. She was a “Jill” of all trades, a self-taught master of just about ANYTHING, including gardening, sewing, knitting, beading, woodworking, and pretty much anything that kept her hands busy. She was especially talented at making jewelry. Friends and family would encourage her to sell her crafts, but Deanna would say, “then it would take away all the fun.”
She is survived by her husband, David Draves. Deanna and David were Iron Mountain classmates, and after high school, they both went their separate ways. They reconnected in 2006 at a classmate reunion and were married in 2008. A match truly made in heaven. She is also survived by her mother, Dorothy Wickman of Iron Mountain, Mich.; brother, Darrell (Willie) Wickman of Harvard, Mass.; son Kirk Pietrantonio of Iron Mountain, Mich.; daughter Kammi (Mike) Cavalieri of Castle Rock, Colo.; stepsons, Steven (Kari) Draves of Woodbury, Minn., Mark (Natalie) Draves of Oshkosh, Wis., and Kevin (Brianne) Draves of Rogers, Minn.; grandchildren, Brittany (Matt) Schumaker, Tassie Pietrantonio (Terry Clark), Jaidyn and Jayce Cavalieri and Gavin, Brayden and Jase Draves; great-grandchildren, Cora and Crosby Schumaker, Giovanni Pietrantonio and Jovon Clark; beloved niece Mary Beth (David) Pellegrini; sister-in-laws Jackie (Randy) Hallman; brothers-in-law Dale (Shelly) Draves, and Dan (Terri) Draves; and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Deanna joins her father, Donald Wickman, and nephew, Geoffrey Wickman, in Heaven. Now that Deanna has passed into the arms of our Lord, we should remind ourselves that while this is the end of Deanna’s physical life on Earth, it’s the beginning of an eternal and beautiful journey for her.
Visitation will be at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Iron Mountain, Mich., on Monday, July 18, 2022, from 10 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. A celebration of Deanna’s life will follow at the church at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Bryan Laurila will officiate. A luncheon will be served in Luther Hall immediately following the Service.
Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Deanna’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Florence, Wisc., to honor Deanna’s legacy of life.