Dana DeeAnn (Scheer) DeKalb

Dana DeeAnn (Scheer) DeKalb, of Wichita, Kansas, was born on December 19, 1951 in Novato, California, while her father was serving in the U.S. Air Force. She passed into the loving arms of Jesus on September 8, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of music, creativity, faith, and love.

Dana was the second of ten children born to Dr. Harold McIlvain Scheer and Ruth Edith Scheer, both deceased. From her earliest years, music was her heartbeat. She began formal piano lessons in first grade and soon joined her siblings in the family ensemble, “The Scheer Delights,” which performed throughout Kansas. In her youth, Dana not only performed but also choreographed productions and even helped teach violin to younger siblings, setting the stage for her lifelong gift as a teacher.

She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Violin Performance from Wichita State University in 1973, and her talents were recognized when she was crowned Miss Wichita in 1971.

A gifted professional musician, Dana was equally skilled in piano and violin. She performed with the Wichita Symphony, the Wichita Grand Opera, and in countless weddings, recitals, and church events. She especially loved sharing her talents at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Wichita.

Her true calling, however, was teaching. As the owner and primary instructor of the DeKalb Suzuki School of Violin, Dana dedicated her life to training children as young as four years old. She believed music instruction was about more than technique: it was about discipline, respect, joy, and faith. She often entrusted her advancing students to her sisters Allison or Valerie, ensuring they continued to thrive. Through her teaching, Dana became a beloved mentor and Christian witness to generations of students and their families.

Her influence extended beyond her studio. Dana co-created the Rhythm Train Music Book series, which has been used nationally by teachers to help young violin students establish rhythm. The books remain a cornerstone resource for many professional musicians and educators today.

Dana’s creativity was boundless. She wrote poetry, arranged music, and poured her love of beauty into interior design and home décor. She was known for her handmade gifts—stuffed bears for younger relatives, placemats, and countless other keepsakes—that became treasured symbols of her love and which reflected her delight in giving.

Above all, Dana was devoted to her family. She lovingly trained her own children musically, performed with them, and supported their lives with the same encouragement she gave her students. She was a proud mother to her children: Tara Rittler (son Joss) of Tulsa, OK; Jenny Bowen (daughter Ilana Clayton) of Easley, SC; and Austin Bowen of Wichita, KS. She was a loving stepmother to Jim’s daughters: Elizabeth Hopkins (Mark, daughters Alyssa and Ashley) of Lakewood, CO; and Laura Huitsing (Pete, children Claire, Levi, and Paul) of Bentonville, AR. Her role as “Grandma Dana” to her grandchildren and as “Nama” to her step-grandchildren brought her great joy.

She is also survived by her siblings: Valerie Sullivan (Brian), Kendall Scheer (Joyce), Kimberly Parker (Phil), Laurie Little (Rocky), Brick Scheer (Shelley), Allison Peterson (Stacy), Shannon Bohall (Craig), Tibb Scheer (Kim), Tanya Deiter (Greg), her brother Ivan LeBron (Nelida), and by her former husband Aaron Bowen.

Dana participated in a mission trip to Puerto Rico with Eastminster Presbyterian Church in 2019, reflecting her heart for service, and joined a group from Eastminster in a pilgrimage to Israel in April 2023, reflecting the depth of her faith.

Dana loved the camaraderie of family game nights, where her lively and competitive spirit shone. Her family, students, and community will remember Dana as a radiant, giving soul who embodied joy and vitality. Through her music, teaching, creativity, love, and faith she enriched every life she touched.

A memorial has been established with Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1958 N. Webb Rd, Wichita, KS 67206.

To watch the livestream of Dana's service, please click here