Deanna Mae Stilwell Varner, longtime Blackwell resident, passed away on April 12, 2026, in Andover, Kansas, at the age of 82 years.

Deanna Mae Stilwell Varner was born on January 7, 1944, in Guthrie, Oklahoma, the daughter of Cecil and Bessie (Eckert) Stilwell. She grew up primarily in McPherson, Kansas, attending school there through her sophomore year. She attended her junior year in Ellinwood, Kansas, before moving to Blackwell, Oklahoma, where she graduated with the Blackwell High School Class of 1962.

On September 7, 1962, she married Paul Varner, and the couple made Blackwell their lifelong home.

Deanna was a dedicated worker, holding positions at Kress Department Store, TG&Y, and Gary Hulse Men’s Wear. During the 1970s, she also served as a lifeguard for various local kiddie pools. In 1985, she began a long career with the City of Blackwell as the Utilities Clerk, a position she held until her retirement in 2009.

Deanna loved sunflowers, horses, westerns, and hearts. She also enjoyed taking rides through the country side, listening to Elvis Presley, watching John Wayne movies, and watching OU Football. She especially loved her grandkids, and cats (which she would refer to as “her babies”).

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Paul Varner; two brothers, David and Kenneth Stilwell; a nephew, JoDon Stilwell; and a niece, JoAnna Stilwell.

She is survived by two daughters, Randie Anderson and husband Rocky of Muskogee, Oklahoma, and Kristi Cantwell and husband Chuck of Boise, Idaho; one son, Steven Varner and wife Shannon of Tonkawa, Oklahoma; and ten grandchildren, AnaLisha Freeman and husband David, Matthew Anderson and wife LaKeya, Trevor Anderson and wife MaKayla, Alexa Varner, Taylor Varner, Amber Cantwell, Brannon Cantwell, John Varner and wife Samantha, Brayden Cantwell, and Hope Bradford.

She is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Amara Anderson, London Anderson, and Conner Freeman. Deanna was looking forward with great joy to the birth of her great-grandson, Weston John, in May.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, April 17, 2026 at the First Baptist Church, with Rev. Mark Meador officiating. Burial to follow at the Blackwell Cemetery.

Casketbearers will be Deanna’s grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be her granddaughters, Bruce Dale, Greg Armstrong, Tim Grove, and Randy Anderson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Deanna’s name may be made out to the Ponca City Humane Society ℅ Roberts and Son Funeral Home.

Online condolences can be made at www.robertsandsonfh.com.