Debra Elizabeth Brown
September 4, 1965 — June 2, 2017
Wife of Steven Brown and mother to Emily, Sarah Jane, and Kate, was born September 4th, 1965, in Champagne Illinois.
Debbie attended Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. After knowing each other since elementary school, Steve and Debbie were married on May 9th, 1987, at a beautiful outdoor ceremony held at the home of Steve’s parents, Ron and Marge Brown. They were 21 and 22 years old when they wed.
Debbie and Steve started their family shortly after their marriage and lived in Illinois until August of 1995, when Steve transferred to Iowa with Conway Freight. Debbie, Steve, Emily and Sarah Jane started their new life in Iowa and Kate was born three short years later. Debbie fondly referred to Kate as her “Iowa Baby”.
Debbie was fiercely dedicated to her daughters, always making their activities, academics, and schedules her #1 priority as she raised them. If you asked her what her hobbies were, she would say “my kids.”
Debbie and Steve were married for 30 years and showed their daughters an example of a marriage built on friendship, commitment, and strength.
Debbie worked at various places throughout Harlan and started her banking career at United Bank of Iowa in 2010. Since then, she has flourished in her field. She was most recently working for Great Western Bank in Omaha, Nebraska as a Branch Manager/Retail Banking Officer. Debbie had a passion for helping others, and her outgoing and direct personality made her successful in every role she pursued.
Steve and Debbie’s family grew in October 2014 when Sarah married Andrew Barksdale, and again, in November 2015 when Sarah and Andrew’s first daughter, Elaina Jane Barksdale was born. Debbie adored being a grandmother and insisted her grandchildren refer to her as her “Grammie.” She was anxious to meet her second granddaughter, Briley, who will arrive in September 2017.
She is survived by her husband, Steven Brown of Harlan, Iowa. children: Emily Brown, of Iowa City, Iowa; Sarah Jane Barksdale and husband Andrew, Lincoln, Nebraska; and Kate Brown Harlan, Iowa; granddaughter: Elaina Jane Barksdale, Lincoln Nebraska; father Paul Ferrara Sr. of Illinois; siblings: Kathy and husband John May of Illinois; Paul Ferrara and Laura of Wisconsin; Peter Ferrara and husband Joe of Florida; and many nieces and nephews whom she adored.
She is proceded in death by her mother, Mary Elizabeth Ferrara; and best friends, Mylissa (Simmons) Eckdahl and Scott Ryan.
Debbie attended Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. After knowing each other since elementary school, Steve and Debbie were married on May 9th, 1987, at a beautiful outdoor ceremony held at the home of Steve’s parents, Ron and Marge Brown. They were 21 and 22 years old when they wed.
Debbie and Steve started their family shortly after their marriage and lived in Illinois until August of 1995, when Steve transferred to Iowa with Conway Freight. Debbie, Steve, Emily and Sarah Jane started their new life in Iowa and Kate was born three short years later. Debbie fondly referred to Kate as her “Iowa Baby”.
Debbie was fiercely dedicated to her daughters, always making their activities, academics, and schedules her #1 priority as she raised them. If you asked her what her hobbies were, she would say “my kids.”
Debbie and Steve were married for 30 years and showed their daughters an example of a marriage built on friendship, commitment, and strength.
Debbie worked at various places throughout Harlan and started her banking career at United Bank of Iowa in 2010. Since then, she has flourished in her field. She was most recently working for Great Western Bank in Omaha, Nebraska as a Branch Manager/Retail Banking Officer. Debbie had a passion for helping others, and her outgoing and direct personality made her successful in every role she pursued.
Steve and Debbie’s family grew in October 2014 when Sarah married Andrew Barksdale, and again, in November 2015 when Sarah and Andrew’s first daughter, Elaina Jane Barksdale was born. Debbie adored being a grandmother and insisted her grandchildren refer to her as her “Grammie.” She was anxious to meet her second granddaughter, Briley, who will arrive in September 2017.
She is survived by her husband, Steven Brown of Harlan, Iowa. children: Emily Brown, of Iowa City, Iowa; Sarah Jane Barksdale and husband Andrew, Lincoln, Nebraska; and Kate Brown Harlan, Iowa; granddaughter: Elaina Jane Barksdale, Lincoln Nebraska; father Paul Ferrara Sr. of Illinois; siblings: Kathy and husband John May of Illinois; Paul Ferrara and Laura of Wisconsin; Peter Ferrara and husband Joe of Florida; and many nieces and nephews whom she adored.
She is proceded in death by her mother, Mary Elizabeth Ferrara; and best friends, Mylissa (Simmons) Eckdahl and Scott Ryan.
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