Debra "Debbie" Gilbert
July 7, 1954 ~ July 8, 2019
Debra "Debbie" Sue Gilbert age 65 of New Hampton, IA, died peacefully Monday, July 8, 2019, at the Bartels Lutheran Home in Waverly, one day after celebrating her 65th birthday with family and friends.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton. Interment will follow in the New Hampton City Cemetery.
Friends may greet the family beginning at 9:00 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Debra “Debbie” Sue Gilbert was born July 7, 1954, in New Hampton, IA, the daughter of Charles and Melba (Attleson) Gilbert. She received her education in the New Hampton School District and was a 1973 graduate of the New Hampton High School. Debbie babysat for many families in New Hampton and then began working at the former A & W Restaurant in New Hampton. She loved meeting and serving the customers and worked until the restaurant closed. While in New Hampton Debbie also cared for her grandmother, Rena Attleson.
In 1985, Debbie moved to Fairfield, IA with her mother and began working in nursing homes. They moved back to New Hampton in 1997, and she again began caring for children and also worked at NH Nursing and Rehab for many years. Debbie was a longtime volunteer at the Chickasaw Event Center.
Debbie and her mother, Melba spent many years enjoying bowling league. They looked forward to the camaraderie at the bowling alley and spending time with friends. She loved to play cards with all her family and enjoyed going to Bingo.
Debbie became a resident at the Waverly Bartels Lutheran Home in 2018 and made many new friends. If her friends or family had a birthday or special occasion, Debbie never missed acknowledging it. She always remembered to send a card. Debbie had a way of making you feel special indeed and did this for all her family and friends. She will be dearly missed and remembered for her gentle and kind soul.
Debbie is survived by three sisters, Kris Meyer of New Hampton, IA, Michelle (Tom) Paulsen of Sioux City, IA and Julie (Steve) Tjepkes of Atlantic, IA; four nieces, Rachel (Matt) Ysbrand, Jennifer Meyer, Marissa Paulsen and Leah Tjepkes; three nephews, Derek Tjepkes, Drew Paulsen, and Alex Paulsen.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Melba Gilbert; one sister, Pat Gilbert; grandparents, Sjur and Rena Attleson; brother-in-law, John Meyer; aunts & uncles, Palmer Attleson, Signora Goss, Karen Feind, Paulette Trewin, and Dick Attleson.
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Kris, Micki, Julie, and the Gilbert family – I was very sorry to hear about Deb’s passing. The thoughts of many were with her on her recent birthday, and now are with all of you in her passing. I can recall so many memories of times spent at the Meyer house when Deb was there. Please know that you are all in my thoughts. My most sincere sympathies to all of you. Nolan Haskovec
Our deepest sympathy to Deb’s family. We enjoyed seeing her at bingo
Monday Nights through the years. May God Bless!!
So sorry to hear about Debbie. I am sure that Aunt Melba will be happy to see her. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Condolences to all of Debbie’s family. How wonderful that you have the memory of her joy at her birthday party. Debbie was in my very first home room when she was a freshman. We were together all through high school. Then suddenly we became contemporaries as adults!
Condolences to all of Debbie’s family. How wonderful that you have the memory of her joy at her birthday party. Debbie was in my very first home room when she was a freshman. We were together all through high school. Then suddenly we became contemporaries as adults!
Debbie babysat for my sister and I. She lived next to my grandma while we were growing up. We loved to visit her at A & W. We moved to Fairfield around the same time they did so we got to see her there too. When they moved back to New Hampton I ran into her every once in a while. She was a very loving soul and I know she will be greatly missed.
Kris, Micki and Julie…our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Debbie had a heart of gold and enjoyed the true value of family above everything else as evidenced by her birthday party Sunday. May we all benefit from her example!
Kris and family … I am so sorry for your loss. I am vacationing in Branson, so I was shocked by this news. Although I didn’t know Debbie, I had visited with her several times since she has been at Bartels. She was a sweet lady. Prayers for the family.
Rest in peace sweet Debbie. Your smiles and kindness were amazing. My sympathy to her family whom she loved very much.
Kris, Micki, Julie and families you have our deepest sympathy . Have so many fond memories of Debbie and you all. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you all..
Duane and Marlys
My deepest sympathies to Kris and family. Debbie had a knack for caring for children; she will be missed.
Dear family of Debbie: I want you to know how much Debbie loved each of you. We often shared
her joy and appreciation of each of you! She was excited when she had visitors from afar, also!
Debbie had many gifts of a sense of humor, she appreciated things of beauty, and enjoyed her
time with you and lived life to the fullest. Deb was a talented person in her work at the CEC, she
was loyal and new she was needed. I miss her, I will remember her always. You have my sympathy.
Kris and family. Know that we are thinking of all of you and share in your loss.
Condolences to the Gilbert family in the loss of Debbie. Jan and Lance Manson
My sympathy to the Debra Gilbert family. I met Debbie as she volunteered at the Chickasaw Event Center (Senior CTR). She demonstrated kindness and skill as she helped out at the center. I am saddened with her passing. You’re in my thoughts and prayers, Irene Lynch
Dear sweet Debbie you will be missed by so many and my thoughts and prayers go out to your family I will miss that amazing smile I had the great pleasure of meeting you when you came to Bartles and there wasn’t a day that we didn’t laugh or talk about a movie on Lifetime I will forever hold the lil talks close to my heart !!! I’m glad that I could help with putting that beautiful smile on your face for your birthday wish I could have been there but I just wanted to make sure it was amazing just like you!!!!!
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
May her memories console her family. All our thoughts and prayers to them. Jeanne and David Roder
To Debbie’s family,
So saddened to hear of your loss! She was blessed in life by the family and friends who loved her deeply. Now she can rest in peace with Melba and Pat! You have our deepest sympathy.
Joe and Sharon Haskovec
Deb was a good co worker I enjoyed working with her with the children she was good with them.