Deanna J Ingalls

Deanna J. Ingalls, age 81, of Marathon, Iowa died September 4, 2025 at Spencer Hospital in Spencer, Iowa. 

Funeral services will take place Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at United Methodist Church in Laurens, Iowa. To watch a livestream of the service, use the following link: https://www.facebook.com/people/Laurens-United-Methodist-Church/100064480308170/. Burial will be in the Poland Township Cemetery in Marathon, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 12-2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the CHURCH. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City is in charge of the arrangements. 

Deanna Jean Woodford was born July 3, 1944 to Elden and Helen (Simeon) Woodford in Sioux Rapids, Iowa. She grew up attending Marathon School, graduating in 1962. She went on to attend Cosmetology School in Des Moines. Deanna was passionate about her career in cosmetology, touching many lives as a hairdresser from 1963 until her retirement in 2022.

Deanna was a fifth-generation member of the United Methodist Church in Marathon where she served as choir director. After the church’s closing, she attended the United Methodist Church in Laurens where she was active in the church circle.

In 1965, Deanna was united in marriage to Robert Lee Jackson in Marathon, Iowa. Deanna and Robert were blessed with three children: Robert Lee Jr., John William, and Christopher. On November 24, 1985, Robert joined his two infant sons in heaven. On July 26, 1986, Deanna married Rex Ingalls.

Deanna served her community as president of the Marathon Library Board, president of the Alumni Banquet Committee, President of the Marathon Fire Department Auxiliary, and Fireman Breakfast hostess. Throughout her life, Deanna enjoyed playing her trumpet in municipal bands, performing taps at funerals, and singing solos for funerals. In her free time, Deanna loved traveling. Some of her favorite destinations included Alaska and Hawaii and she took numerous bus trips with friends. Deanna will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Left to cherish her memory include her son: Christopher (Carrie Nelsen) Jackson of Marathon, Iowa; grandchild: Christopher Jackson Jr.; daughter-in-law: Dana Jackson of Marathon, Iowa; sisters: Linda Shelton of Fargo, North Dakota; Julie (Tim) Lullman of Storm Lake, Iowa; nieces and nephews: Misty Shelton, Lynn Shelton, Jessica Woodford, Faron Woodford, Jeannie Lullman, Tara (Gary) Kron; aunt: JoAnn Fast; sisters-in-law: Cindy Spooner; Judy Ingalls; extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands: Robert Lee Jackson; Rex Ingalls; two infant sons: Robert Lee Jr; John William Jackson; brother: Edwin Bruce Woodford; brothers-in-law: Howard Shelton; Buck Ingalls; and sister-in-law: Beverly (Charles) Gustafson.

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