Adelia I. Sullivan, 81, passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at the Monument Health Home Plus Hospice House in Rapid City, SD. She was born on April 18, 1939 in Klamath Falls, OR to Frank and Irene Kirkland. Adelia was known to all as Deana. When she was born, her mother's best friend didn't think the name Adelia suited a baby and nicknamed her "Deana" instead. Deana had a younger sister named Joanne and a younger brother named Darrell, both of whom she was very close to. When she graduated high school in 1956 in Oakridge, OR, she attended beauty school, which became her lifelong profession and career.
In 1956, Deana met her husband, Robert "Sully" Sullivan, and they fell in love at first sight and were married on December 25, 1957. They proudly celebrated their 63rd anniversary this past Christmas. Due to Sully's profession, they moved around a lot during their life together. They lived in Oregon, California, Washington, Alaska, and Canada, and finally resided in South Dakota. They loved to travel and during retirement took many trips to visit family and friends around the country in their RV.
Sully and Deana had two children, Kirk Sullivan and Cheryl (Sullivan) Wallace. Wherever they lived, Sully would build an in-home salon for Deana so she could be home with their children and continue her beautician business. Deana and Sully always liked to have fun and would make sure the whole family was involved. They owned horses, joined a 4x4 Off-Road Club, went deep sea fishing, and went camping and boating on vacation. Deana even raced in a 4x4 Club event and had a blast!
Deana loved being a mother, but might have loved being a grandmother even more. She had four grandchildren, Chad Wallace, Joshua Sullivan, Shara King, and Samantha Savageau. She also had three great-grandchildren. She made every one of her family members feel very special and loved by her. She always had a Godly word of advice or a suggested health remedy, as she spent a lot of time researching these things.
Deana led a very active social life and enjoyed painting. She was very involved with her church, Al-Anon, and loved to take art classes. She taught beauty classes and Bible studies, and led Al-Anon meetings. She was devout in her Christian faith, and she loved to watch Jimmy Swaggart Ministries on television and study her Bible.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Sullivan; daughter, Cheryl Wallace; grandchildren, Joshua Sullivan, Shara King, and Samantha Savageau; great-grandchildren, Christopher Cooke, Scott Sullivan, and Shyan Sullivan; brothers-in-law, Gene Sullivan and Bud Peterson; sisters-in-law, Patricia Peterson, Clarice "Tootie" Sullivan, Sandra Brandenburg, and Barbara Kirkland; and many nieces and nephews.
Deana was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Irene Kirkland; her siblings, Joanne Lerch and Darrell Kirkland; son, Kirk Sullivan; grandson, Chad Wallace; brothers-in-law, Carl Lerch, Gene Bigelow, Andrew Sullivan, and Jim Brandenburg; sister-in-law, Alice Bigelow; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Services for Deana will be held at a later date.