Deanna Kay Schaff

Deanna Kay Schaff

April 3, 1947 - August 13, 2023

Casper, Wyoming

  It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Deanna Kay Schaff (née Fritton), who peacefully entered into eternal rest on August 13, 2023, surrounded by family and loved ones. She was born on April 3, 1947, in Cheyenne Wells, CO and her kindness and generosity of spirit touched the lives of many.

  Deanna was the third of five children born to Arthur and Deirdre Fritton in the eastern plains of Colorado where the family was raised on a wheat farm. She was a vivacious and studious child who was active in church activities and community events as well as the many home responsibilities that help support a farming household. Deanna graduated from Cheyenne Wells High School in 1965 and received her teaching degree from St. Mary of the Plains, class of 1969, in Dodge City, Kansas. After graduating, she moved to Denver, CO to pursue her teaching career.

  While in Denver, Deanna worked as a paralegal while applying for teaching positions when she met her husband, Robert “Bob” Schaff. They were married on June 19, 1971.  Deanna and Bob had two boys, Monte and Dean, within 19 months of each other and the young family moved back to the Fritton farm in eastern Colorado to raise their family, farm, and teach.

  Deanna was a math teacher for all grade levels, but mostly for 7th-12th grade in the very small, rural Bethune School system. She also taught science classes and occasionally English. She drove approximately 35 miles to and from school each day, and often arrived early or stayed late to assist students with any issues they may have had with assignments, projects, and extracurricular activities.  In 1997 she received her master’s degree from the University of Wyoming. Students say that she had the utmost patience for breaking down mathematical concepts and explaining problems in different ways that helped them understand and learn the material better. With her masterful skill for teaching and new degree she became supervisor for the Math Lab and subsequently division chair at Casper College. Later she was the director of the Tate Geological Museum where she oversaw the curation and events surrounding the Dee the Mammoth and Lee Rex excavations and acquisitions.

  Deanna’s strategic mind not only served her well in her career but also in her hobbies as she was extremely good at winning card games, board games, and word games. She was a voracious reader, painted, played the organ, tried new recipes, and perfected old ones, and adored her dogs. She embraced nearly every adventure that came her way! She was active in Our Lady of Fatima Council of Catholic Women, had many friends in Casper and frequently connected with friends and family virtually as well. She loved her family immensely and spent a lot of time with her grandchildren and they spent a lot of time visiting her.

  She is survived by her husband Robert Schaff and her two sons Monte (Trisha) Schaff and Dean (Jennifer) Schaff, as well as her grandchildren Eric Lagergren, Alyssa (Steven) Schall, Austin (Kendra) Schaff, Anthony Schaff, and Zachary (Lynn) Schaff.  She is also survived by her siblings, Daniel Fritton, Donna (Carl) Hund, David Fritton, and Deborah (John) McClave, as well as many nieces and nephews.  She will be dearly missed by all her family, extended family, and friends, who are left with cherished memories of her kindness and strength.

  She is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Deirdre Fritton, and her sister-in-law, Jackie Fritton.

  A rosary service will be held for Deanna at Bustard & Jacoby Funeral Home on Monday August 21st at 6:00 PM. Funeral services will be conducted at Our Lady of Fatima on Tuesday August 22nd at 11:00 AM with a reception to follow.

  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org.

  The family would like to express their gratitude to Poudre Valley Hospital for their compassionate care during Deanna Kay Schaff’s final days.

  Please share your memories and condolences at www.bustardcares.com/obituaries. We are grateful for your support during this difficult time.

To view the livestreamed memorial mass for Deanna, please visit https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=c7b8ec04-f07f-4c3f-9211-9db994a47a50