Deana M. Gomez

Deana Ames-Gomez, 75, a lifelong resident of Ottawa, passed away Monday, February 8, 2016, at Baldwin Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. A committal will be held at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, February 13, 2016, at Dengel & Son Mortuary. Private family graveside service will be held at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa. Deana was the daughter of Louis and Hazel (Brown) Ames. She was born on September 16, 1940, at her parents then first home, 220 S. Oak, Ottawa, Kansas. She attended Lincoln Grade School, Ottawa Junior High School and graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1958. Deana was united in marriage with Mike Gomez in May of 1983 at Ottawa. He preceded her in death in 2004. Survivors include her three children, daughter, Becky Carey and husband Tom Evans of Ottawa, son, Brice Farris and wife Lisa of Lawrence, and daughter, Chris Simone of Topeka; eight grandchildren, Tyler Carey, and Jamie Carey Roecker, of Ottawa, Adam Simone, Kassi Neufeld, Brock Simone, and Lauren Simone, all of Silver Lake, and Louis Farris, and Devin Farris of Lawrence; eleven great grandchildren; sister, Connie Norton of Grove, Oklahoma; and brother, Bruce Ames and wife Shirley of Olathe. Deana was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. Deana was one of the first female insurance agents in the state of Kansas, receiving her insurance license in 1972. She was employed in Ottawa with Bundy Insurance Agency and later Miller Insurance Agency. Deana retired in 2005 with Porter – Spears and Bundy Insurance Agency. She was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 5901, Ladies Auxiliary, where she served as treasurer. Deana attended the Wesleyan Methodist Church. She was an avid reader and loyal Ottawa Library patron, always having a book by her side. She also enjoyed the challenge of working the daily crossword puzzle in the morning paper. The family suggests memorial contributions to Prairie Paws Animal Shelter c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Deana’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com