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Obituary for Debra Kay Hestekin


Debra Kay Hestekin, 61, of La Crosse, WI passed away Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at her home surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with cancer. Debbie was born August 18, 1960 in Eau Claire, WI, daughter of Bob and Bonnie (Britten) Anderson. Debbie went to Eau Claire Memorial High School and graduated in 1978. After graduation she attended CVTC for a nurses aide program, and worked as a nurses aide at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire, WI for 3 years. On June 12, 1982 Debbie married Gary Hestekin in Cleghorn, WI, and together they celebrated almost 40 years of marriage. After they moved to La Crosse she worked as a phlebotomist at St. Francis Medical Center. Debbie also worked at the La Crosse Public Library for 15 years. She enjoyed planting and caring for her flowers throughout the summer. She also loved baking and would always make a big assortment of cookies for Christmas every year. Debbie loved spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, grand-puppies, sisters, and extended family. They were a very important part of her life. Debbie is survived by her husband Gary Hestekin of La Crosse, WI; her daughter Heather (David Schmidt) Hestekin of Huntington Beach, CA; son John (Melanie) Hestekin of Shakopee, MN; grandson Kelvin Hestekin Schmidt of Huntington Beach, CA; granddaughter Kaia Hestekin Schmidt of Huntington Beach, CA; sisters: Nancy (Blake) Robinson of Altoona, WI, Patti (Blaire) Robinson of Altoona,WI, and Jill (Jamie Mueller) Minshall of Osseo, WI; sister-in-laws: Cheri (Jim) Ulberg of Eau Claire, WI, and Jo Anne (Mike) Ward of Geneva, IL; uncle William Germann of Eau Claire, WI; aunts: Elaine Britten of Barnes, WI, and Shirley Johnson of Eau Claire, WI; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Bob and Bonnie Anderson. Debbie was the most loving, caring, kind, and selfless person and was admired by all her family and friends. She will be sadly missed by all whose lives she touched and will be forever remembered and never forgotten. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m., Friday, April 29, 2022, at Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Home, Woodruff Chapel, 4239 Mormon Coulee Rd., La Crosse. Pastor Michael McCann will officiate. Private burial for family will follow in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m., until the time of service, Friday, at the funeral home.