Debra Baruth, 61, of Alpena, died Wednesday, April 5, 2017, at the DeSmet Good Samaritan Center, as the result of a traumatic brain injury.
Her funeral service was Sunday, April 9, at the Riverview United Methodist Church in Huron with burial in Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation was Saturday, April 8, at the Kuhler Funeral Home, with family present from 5-7 p.m. and a time of sharing at 7 p.m.
Debra Kay Nelson was born Sept. 24, 1955, to Palmer and Lucy (Gockowski) Nelson in Huron. She was the youngest of 11 children. Debbie grew up in Huron, attending St. Martin’s Catholic School and Jefferson School. She graduated from Huron High School in 1974.
In June of 1972, she married James Peck at Watertown. Together, they had one daughter, JoAnn. The couple later divorced in 1978.
Debbie worked for Mesaba Airlines and Al’s Red Owl, and then worked for the Huron School District until her retirement.
In March of 2003, Debbie married Ronnie Baruth at Huron. Together, they shared their lives farming in the Alpena area. They enjoyed traveling, camping and going to sprint car races. They cherished spending time with their families and especially their grandchildren.
Debra is survived by her husband, Ronnie Baruth of Alpena; one daughter, JoAnn (Tony) Smith of Huron; two grandchildren; two sisters, Phyllis (Dean) Loeffelbein of Amarillo, Texas, and Delores (Burton) Lounsbury of Huron; four brothers, Virgil (JoJo) Nelson of Aberdeen, Phillip Nelson of Morehead City, N.C., Ronnie (Ruth) Nelson of Huron, and Loren (Rhonda) Nelson of Cavour; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Clarence and Charley Nelson; two sisters, Adeline Bowen and Leona Lundeen; and one grandson, Alex Smith.