Debra J. Meyer, 53, a resident of Eldridge, died Monday, Dec. 13, 2010 at her residence following a courageous seven-month long battle with leukemia.
She was surrounded by her loving family at the time of her passing. Funeral services and a Mass of Christian Burial for Deb will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010 at St. Ann Catholic Church, Long Grove. Burial will take place in St. Ann’s Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 3-7 p.m. at St. Ann’s, Long Grove with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. There will be additional visitation from 9:30-10:15 a.m. on Thursday at the church.
Debra J. Schmidt was born on Sept. 17, 1957 in Dubuque, a daughter of Louis and Lorraine (Frieberger) Schmidt. She was a graduate of Dubuque Wahlert High School. Deb was united in marriage to Richard Meyer on May 12, 1979 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Key West, Iowa. Deb worked at R.R. Donnelly in Eldridge, formerly known as Bawden Printers and Von Hoffman Graphics. She began her career there in 1981.
Deb loved to spend time with her friends and family especially her grandchildren, Brock, 4, and Sage, 7 weeks. She also enjoyed reading a good book, going to movies, planting flowers in her flower berm and decorating for the holidays. She was also an active member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Long Grove, having served on the parish council and was involved in Christian Experience Weekends.
Memorials may be made to St. Ann Catholic Church or to the family.
Survivors include her husband, Rich, her daughter and son-in-law, Nicole and Levi Rathje, all of Eldridge; and a son, Chris Meyer, Waterloo; grandchildren, Brock and Sage Rathje; her mother, Lorraine Schmidt; her siblings, Kenny Schmidt, Dennis (Lois) Schmidt, Dale (Robin) Schmidt, all of Dubuque; Judy Asay, Olathe, KS; Joyce (Mike) Leverence, Naperville, IL, and Marlene (Rick) Von Funmetti,; her mother-in-law, Mary Meyer, all of Dubuque; numerous nieces and nephews; and her best friends, Joyce Otting and Liz Midey, of Davenport.
Deb was preceded in death by her father, her father-in-law, Mark Meyer, and a sister-in-law, Pat Schmidt. May they rest in peace.
The family would like to thank Dr. Mercer and his staff at Genesis the nurses on the oncology unit at Genesis West, and Dr. Carter and his staff at the University of Iowa Hospital for the compassion and care they showed to Deb. Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed by visiting Deb’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com
