Deborah Jane Thyssen

Her spirit lives on in Heaven after passing away with family by her side at the age of 59.  Battling brain cancer for over four and a half great years, she continued to live life to the fullest, never complaining or feeling pity for herself.  She always put others before her and was happiest when she knew her family was happy.  She offered smiles to random people, specifically children and the elderly, and gained the friendship of many loyal friends.  She is severely missed yet her spirit and personality lives on in the family and friends she cherished.

Deb enjoyed things such as snowmobiling, fishing, motorcycle rides, and organizing trips to NASCAR races, but specifically anything that involved family and friends gathering together.  She valued the 'little things in life' and simple things such as laughing, or getting a burger and beer with friends.  She adored her only son, Adam and her dedication to being a great mother is truly inspiring.  She held family in the highest regards saying that, 'we need to take care of each other because we are family, and family is all we've got'.  Through these tough times her family has come together and grown ever stronger.

Debbie Judkins grew up in Little Chute, WI and married Gary Thyssen of Appleton on October 16th, 1976.  They've been married ever since and in 1984 brought their son Adam into this world.

Deb worked at Thrivent Financial since 1978 as an Interior Space Planner.  For many years she proudly worked along side two of her sisters, Barb and Sue.  Throughout her career she met great people and gained many lifelong friends.

Deb is survived by her husband Gary, son Adam and his wife Caitlin, brother Denny and Gail Judkins (Danny & his wife Jackie, Domenic, and Alex), sister Sue and Dennis Bloedorn (Katy & husband Mike, and Dana), sister Char Lofdahl (Sheila Frank), nieces: Hilary Rohrer and Stacey Schmidt, mother-in-law Bernice Thyssen, Teri and Dan Laux (Kristy and Will White, Kate and Landon Vomastic, Bailey Laux, Tyler Laux), Randy and Lori Thyssen (Amanda and Erin Thyssen), Sandi and Todd Kagelmann (Austin).

She is preceded in death by her parents George and Jane (Adriaens) Judkins, sister Barb Judkins and father-in-law James Thyssen.

Memorial services will be held at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, March 26, 2015, at St. Paul Catholic Church, 410 Wallace Street, Combined Locks, with Fr. Andy Kysely officiating. Family and friends may gather at the church on Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the Mass. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.

Special thanks and recognition are being given to the medical professionals at Duke University Medical Center.  Dr. Annick Desjardins and Michelle Bradsher need to be recognized for their dedication and personal sacrifices which gave Deb years of life, far exceeding expectation for the aggressive brain cancer that challenged her.

Deb Thyssen left this world a better place than she found it.  In lieu of flowers/gifts, the family encourages donations to the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University.  Donations can be made in honor of Deb Thyssen online at www.cancer.duke.edu/btc

or mailed to:

The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, DUMC

Box 3624

Durham, NC 27710

(please include “In honor of Deb Thyssen in the memo if sending a check)

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