Debra Lynette “Deb” Harberts

Monday, October 26, 2015 5:07 pm

Debra Lynette “Deb” Harberts, 63, of Decorah, formerly of Dunkerton and Waterloo, died Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015, at Aase Haugen Home in Decorah of Stage 4 Melanoma of the liver after surviving breast cancer twice. Services are at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at Kearns Funeral Service Kimball Chapel, with burial in the Fairview Cemetery in Dunkerton. Public visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and also one hour before the service. Memorials may be directed to the family. Kearns Funeral Service Kimball Chapel is in charge of arrangements. 319-233-3146. Online condolences may be left at kearnsfuneralservice.com.

She was born Oct. 2, 1952, in Waterloo, the daughter of Elwyn “Skip” Shimp and Geraldine (Lehr) Christensen. She was a 1970 graduate of Dunkerton High School. She married Mark Harberts Dec. 11, 1976, in Hudson. They were later divorced. Deb worked in shipping and receiving at Waterloo Warehousing and Service Co. for many years. She also worked as a universal worker in the Memory Care Alzheimer’s Unit at Aase Haugen Home over three years. She had been a volunteer at McKinstry Elementary School. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved counted crossstitch, collecting Dreamsicle figurines, Pegasus, horse and pewter statues. She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by one son, Jeremiah (Bethany) Harberts of Denver; one daughter, Jenny (Daren) Dietrich of Decorah; four grandchildren: Paige, Natalie, Alyssa and Kesli Harberts; two brothers, Keith (Cathy) Shimp of Waterloo, Doug (Becky) Shimp of Washburn; two sisters, Deanie (Trent) Graham of Dunkerton, Karen (Gary) Vick of Raymond; and 15 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Maurice “Bud” Christensen; a grandson, Noah John Dietrich, in March 2015; paternal grandparents, Harvey and Nellie Shimp; and maternal grandparents, Merle and Arlene Lehr.