Starting Over After a Fatal Fire
Donation protected
On Dec. 2, 2020, a day like any other, Diane Greer heard and felt what must have been a terrible crash outside of her home. It was so intense It buckled the house and knocked pictures off the wall. She ran outside to see what happened and found there had been an explosion in the garage trapping her dear friend, Deanna Harding inside. She had gone into the garage to retrieve some Thanksgiving stuffing she'd made for a friend.
Diane called 911 and tried frantically to locate her friend as she cried for help, but sadly the fire was too intense and Deanna perished in the fire. The fire quickly moved to the house destroying everything in its path including their cars. Nothing was left but ashes and charred metal. Diane escaped with nothing but the clothes on her back and the cell phone she used to call 911.
They loved to cook and had a well-stocked kitchen:
The jars of jellies and vegetables they just canned:
Diane and Deanna, who I affectionately called "Nanners," bought the lake house in 1994 for plans to retire there. Once they retired, they moved there permanently and added onto the house to make it a home. They had recently made many needed improvements to the home including a new furnace and AC unit, updated insulation, window and door repairs, and many more updates to help manage with senior life. Diane and Deanna loved to can jellies and vegetables from their garden to give to the community. Deanna was a famous canner of pickled fish. She would get orders from friends and relatives across the country. They loved living near the lake to fish and boat in the summer time, watch the deer and turkeys, and rock hunt in the hills.
Deanna grew up in Rapid City. After living in LA near her sister for several years, she came back to take care of her mom, who was dying of cancer. She later became the postmaster of Hill City before retiring and spending the last 20 years in Hot Springs. She loved to hunt, fish, cook, and was the kind of person who would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. She was a pillar of each community she resides in, especially Hot Springs and will be missed by many.
The fire was so hot, there is nothing salvageable. While the photos and family heirlooms are irreplaceable, Diane would appreciate your help starting over. I'm her daughter and have come to South Dakota to help her through this tragedy. I'll be taking my mom back to San Diego with me to rest, grieve and recover from this highly traumatic experience. Then she can start building her new life without her best friend and companion of 37 years.
So many of you have offered your help and support and we are forever grateful. Diane and Deanna loved their town and the community here. Anything you can give to help her start over would be greatly appreciated. Their savings were depleted for the necessary renovations to their home and most of the insurance will simply pay the mortgage. She will need everything when she lands on her feet and finds a new home. Every donation will be faithfully used for clothing, medications, personal items, furniture, household items, and housing.
We have been overwhelmed but the love and kindness everyone has shown. We love you all so much! God bless <3
Diane called 911 and tried frantically to locate her friend as she cried for help, but sadly the fire was too intense and Deanna perished in the fire. The fire quickly moved to the house destroying everything in its path including their cars. Nothing was left but ashes and charred metal. Diane escaped with nothing but the clothes on her back and the cell phone she used to call 911.
They loved to cook and had a well-stocked kitchen:
The jars of jellies and vegetables they just canned:
Diane and Deanna, who I affectionately called "Nanners," bought the lake house in 1994 for plans to retire there. Once they retired, they moved there permanently and added onto the house to make it a home. They had recently made many needed improvements to the home including a new furnace and AC unit, updated insulation, window and door repairs, and many more updates to help manage with senior life. Diane and Deanna loved to can jellies and vegetables from their garden to give to the community. Deanna was a famous canner of pickled fish. She would get orders from friends and relatives across the country. They loved living near the lake to fish and boat in the summer time, watch the deer and turkeys, and rock hunt in the hills.
Deanna grew up in Rapid City. After living in LA near her sister for several years, she came back to take care of her mom, who was dying of cancer. She later became the postmaster of Hill City before retiring and spending the last 20 years in Hot Springs. She loved to hunt, fish, cook, and was the kind of person who would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. She was a pillar of each community she resides in, especially Hot Springs and will be missed by many.
The fire was so hot, there is nothing salvageable. While the photos and family heirlooms are irreplaceable, Diane would appreciate your help starting over. I'm her daughter and have come to South Dakota to help her through this tragedy. I'll be taking my mom back to San Diego with me to rest, grieve and recover from this highly traumatic experience. Then she can start building her new life without her best friend and companion of 37 years.
So many of you have offered your help and support and we are forever grateful. Diane and Deanna loved their town and the community here. Anything you can give to help her start over would be greatly appreciated. Their savings were depleted for the necessary renovations to their home and most of the insurance will simply pay the mortgage. She will need everything when she lands on her feet and finds a new home. Every donation will be faithfully used for clothing, medications, personal items, furniture, household items, and housing.
We have been overwhelmed but the love and kindness everyone has shown. We love you all so much! God bless <3
Organizer and beneficiary
Falon Greer
Organizer
Hot Springs, SD
Diane Greer
Beneficiary