Ethel M. Debuhr

Rock Rapids, Iowa Ethel M. DeBuhr, age 85 of Rock Rapids, IA died on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at the Rock Rapids Health Care Centre. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Friday, April 19th at the Congregational United Church of Christ of Rock Rapids. Burial will follow at Bethel Reformed Cemetery at rural Little Rock, IA. Visitation will be Thursday, April 18th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. Ethel DeBuhr was born January 20, 1928 near Maple Hill, Iowa, the daughter of Nels and Mildred (Lewis) Christensen. She attended schools in Estherville, IA, Graettinger, IA and Ellsworth, MN, where she graduated in 1946. She was married to Herman DeBuhr on September 18, 1946. They lived in Rock Rapids, IA and raised four children. She was a member of Congregational United Church of Christ in Rock Rapids. She worked at Hess Caf for many years and for Arliss Schoulten at the Brass Lantern. She enjoyed sewing, baking, bowling, playing cards, camping and traveling but mostly spending time with family. On August 27, 1983 Ethels husband, Herman died after thirty-six years of marriage. Ethel retired in 1990 but remained active with family and community activities. In March of 2013 Ethel entered the Rock Rapids Health Care Centre, where she remained until this past Tuesday, April 16, 2013 when she died at the age of 85. She is survived by four children, Ron (wife Sue) DeBuhr of Sioux Falls, SD, Larry DeBuhr of Chicago, IL, Jean Eggers of Sioux Falls, SD, Richard (wife Lori) DeBuhr, of Rock Rapids, IA; eight grandchildren, Renee Ruiz, Derek DeBuhr, Martha (husband Darren) Burkett, Jackson (wife Theresa) DeBuhr, Michael Gustafson, Melissa (husband Joe) Winstead, Tracy (husband Eric) Breuer, Michelle Kannegieter and step-grandson, Sean (wife Brenda) Sosa; thirteen great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Doris Dirks of LeClaire, IA; sister-in-law, Amanda Becker of Rock Rapids, IA; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Ruth Van Aartsen of Rock Rapids, IA; special friend, Dick Visker; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents; her step-father, Harry Randolph; her husband, Herman DeBuhr; three brothers; one sister; son-in-law, Terry Eggers; and one grandson, Chris Kannegieter.