Deana Louise (Asmussen) Gilchrist, 53, went from physical death into eternal life with her Savior Jesus Christ on July 17, 2021 at her home in Boise, Idaho due to complications of her Multiple Sclerosis.

Deana was born May 10, 1968 in Burns where she attended both elementary and junior high school. During her 7th grade year, her family moved to La Pine, where she attended 7th- 11th grade, returning to Burns for her senior year, graduating from Burns High School. 

Deana was passionate about music from an early age, playing the piano, trumpet, as well as singing most of her life. Deana was also a talented basketball player in high school and college. 

Deana attended Western Baptist College (Corban University) in Salem, playing basketball for the Warriors and singing in many of the college’s music ministry groups. 

Deana graduated from Western Baptist College in 1991 with studies in business and a degree in Psychology. It was during this time she met Matthew Gilchrist, the one she would love for the rest of her life. 

They married Feb. 1992 in Burns at Faith Baptist Church, remaining in Burns until 2000 where Deana worked at both Harney Counseling and Guidance, and Burns Life Care Center as an Administrator. In 2000, they moved to Boise where Deana worked at LINC as both a care coordinator and asst. administrator. During her time at LINC, she was very involved in advocating for the disabled community. 

Matt and Deana attended Cole Community Church where they were involved in the music ministry, singing in the church’s choir for several years. The biggest joy in Deana’s life was spending time with Matthew, her family, and watching her nephew and nieces grow up.

Deana was diagnosed with Secondary Progressive MS around the age of 21. She endured many years of debilitating pain and physical decline, but always lived her life with grace, relying upon God for her joy and strength. 

Her Husband and family were also a source of strength that she drew from, enabling her to touch many people with her love for God and the testimony of her life in Him. 

Deana lived her life as a gift encouraging others through her kindness and strength, she always enjoyed spending time with the many friends who would come to visit and spend time with her. The outpouring of love from her friends throughout her life, as well as those in the community, and from Cole Community Church was always an encouragement to her. 

Deana put her faith and trust in Jesus Christ at an early age, living with the knowledge that one day whether through death or His return she would spend eternity with Him. We have wonderful memories of Deana, and she will be missed here, but she is healed of all pain and disability, and “Praise God”, we will see her again.

Deana received wonderful care from A Caring Hand in Boise. Many of her caregivers became a part of the family, including Cynthia Eaton, Mary Lynskey, Kimber Graffam, Jamie Koncher, and Jill Hansen. A special thank you and hug to each of you for your love and care of Deana over the years.

She is survived by her husband, Matthew Gilchrist of Boise; parents, Clifford and Peggy Asmussen of Burns; sister, Kellie (Asmussen) Phillips; nephew, Christian Phillips; nieces, Alexandra Phillips and Tiegan Phillips of Boise; brother-in-law, Daniel Phillips of Nampa; in-laws, Michael and Karen Gilchrist; and sister-in-law, Dana Gilchrist of Richland, Wash. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Larry and Bethel Asmussen, and Ruel and Margaret Teague.

A memorial service for Deana will be held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 28 at Cole Community Church in Boise.

The family requests donation be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation in lieu of flowers or other gifts.