Deana K. Muto, age 56, a resident of Wheaton, IL, since 1988, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Friday, January 22. She was born March 18, 1959 in Alma, Michigan to George and Ellen Howes.

She grew up in Ithaca, Michigan and graduated from Ithaca High School in 1977. She then graduated from Alma College in 1981, where she met Mark Muto. They were married on October 1, 1983 and lived in Chicago where she worked as a computer programer. In 1988 they moved to Wheaton and started a family.

Her passions in life were her family, gardening and travel. Her most recent adventure was a trip to Peru with her husband. She delighted in taking pictures and sharing stories of her trips. Many of her hours were spent supporting her children at baseball games and horse shows. Her free time was spent "playing in the mud" in her garden.

She is survived by her husband, Mark Muto, her daughter, Hillary, son, Michael, her mother, Ellen Howes of Ithaca, MI, paternal grandmother, Zella Howes, and three siblings, Patricia Howes, Mary (Perry) Booso and William (Ruth) Howes, as well as cousins, nieces and nephews and many friends. She was preceded in death by her father, George Howes.

A visitation will be held on Monday, January 25, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, where a funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Wheaton Cemetery in Wheaton, Illinois.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, https://www.pancan.org/

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.