Deanne Kershisnik

A beautiful baby girl, Deanne Kershisnik was born on July 10th, 1940, to Kathleen Ruth Rathbone-Kershisnik and Jacob Philip Kershisnik in Burley, Idaho. There she grew up on the Kershisnik Ranch with her older brother, Philip. There her compassion grew, surrounded by little animals and a loving family.

Deanne married Gary Delong in 1957, and later gave birth to a boy, Kevin Delong. She experienced one of life’s greatest tragedies with Kevin’s passing at a young age. Later, Deanne met and married Richard Martinez on January 16th, 1961. Deanne came to know Jesus in 1962 and leaned on him ever since.

Richard and Deanne raised their two daughters, Deanna Neiwert and Paula Hruza in the Mini-Cassia area. Deanne was a hard worker and did not hesitate to spend herself on behalf of her family. She worked at the local Potato Plant, the Amalgamated Sugar Factory, and Heyburn Elementary from which she retired.

Deanne was known to be loving and strong. She loved her niece, Alice Killgore and nephew, Jake Kershisnik as her own. At family events, she could be found playing dice, cards, dominos, or supplying a family member with a genuine hug or engaged in playful banter. Deanne survived breast cancer in 2009, with joy and grace. She was a wonderful grandmother to Case Hruza, Jake Hruza, Cailee Willbanks, and Cade Neiwert and Great Grandmother to Jordan Willbanks, Caxton Hruza, and Asher Hruza. Her grandchildren specifically recall her spunky and sweet sense of humor and resolve for fairness… except when it came to the stealing of napkins at dinner time.

Deanne had an amazing way of making those around her feel special. Her children remember annual family vacations where they lacked nothing. She ensured her girls felt loved and cared for. They enjoyed a close relationship beyond childhood with many dinners, trips to Twin Falls, coffee dates, walks with the dogs, and small ‘gifts’ from the grocery store because she was just thinking of you.

(If you can close with sporting an ‘I love you’ sign language sign; three fingers on one hand kind of like a hang loose sign… that would really be the cherry on top)