(262) 653-0667
3016 75th Street, Kenosha, WI 53142
Debra “Debbie” Ann Stanich, age 62, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2025. She was born on January 16, 1963, to Bernard John Bauer of Cazenovia, Wisconsin, and Lenore Ann Bauer of Reedsburg, Wisconsin.
Debbie lived a full and vibrant life, defined by her deep love for family, her strong work ethic, and her endless generosity. She attended services at Living Light Christian Church and drew strength from her faith in Jesus Christ. A proud real estate professional and entrepreneur, she pursued many ventures throughout her life with determination and passion. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she poured her heart into her home, her community, and—above all—her family.
She was united in marriage to her husband, Michael Kent Stanich, on June 28, 1996, with whom she shared a beautiful life. Together, they raised six wonderful children: Samuel Justin Sturino (37), Emily Ann Stanich (28), Michael Joseph Stanich (26), Esther Joy Stanich (25) (Ricky Edwards), Julia Grace Stanich (23) (Alex Wajerski), and Matthew Kent Stanich (21). Debbie later embraced one of her greatest joys—becoming “Grandma” to four beloved grandchildren: Samuel, Tatum, Hadassah, and Levell. Her grandchildren adored her beyond measure, and she cherished every moment with them.
Debbie’s many interests reflected her vibrant spirit. A gifted athlete in her younger years, she continued to live with energy and purpose. She found joy in propagating plants, gardening, working on home projects, walking in nature, and volunteering. Above all, she dedicated her time, love, and wisdom to her children and grandchildren, leaving a legacy of strength, kindness, and faith.
She is survived by her loving husband, Michael; her six children; her four grandchildren; her mother, Lenore Bauer; her sister, Lynda Bauer; and her brother, Mark Bauer (Anne). She was preceded in death by her father, Bernard John Bauer, and her great-nephew, Carson Bauer Wilson.
Debbie will be remembered for her unwavering love, her strength of spirit, her love for Christ and the countless lives she touched. Her presence will be deeply missed, but her light will continue to shine through the family and friends who loved her.
A celebration of Debbie’s life will be held on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at Journey Church in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
• Visitation: 1:30 PM
• Service: 3:00 PM
Journey Church is located at 10700 75th Street, Kenosha, WI 53142.
Casey Family Options Funerals & Cremations
3016 75th Street Kenosha WI 53142
262-653-0667
www.caseyfamilyoptions.com
Mon - Fri: 8AM - 4PM
(262) 653-0667
3016 75th Street, Kenosha, WI 53142
Deb Swanson says:
Debbie lit up every room with her smile and kindness. Always happy and an amazing woman. She will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. I will truly miss her. My sincere condolences to Mike and the awesome children she raised.
Chris Greco says:
It was a joy to know Debbie in our younger years. I always appreciated her friendly spirit and smiling face. The entire family has my sincere condolences.
Mike Stanich says:
FAREWELL MY DEAR LOVING FRIEND, WIFE, MOTHER OF MY CHILDREN& GRANDCHILDREN, BUSINESS PARTNER,COUNSELOR, MATE, FELLOW WORSHIP-ER, AKA/MY TRUE LOVE(R) WHO REALLY KNEW ME AND ACCEPTED ME THE SAME!
The goal here is to tell a short story in the most unusual fashion in an unlikely, tragic, yet somewhat predictable moment to the “world”(those who mean the world to us”) to reflect on the best of YOU considering you suffered long and hard in the battle with the CHCHD10 strain of ALS for almost 8 years….I have to admit, we’ve been so engaged in the battle with a goal of healing by God, holistic discovery or the potential FDA medication that would Cure The Ugly DIS-EASE that took you, we ended almost losing track of time in space…didn’t we?. This is hard & it won’t be perfect (you love THAT!), but, here we go…..
FIRST OF ALL, let me give credit where credit is due, Debbie was my better 79%(that’s “better half”(50%) plus 1 percentage point for tolerance every year after we married!/50 + 29 years of marriage) YOU were the espouser to all who were near you to become the “best Version of Themselves” long before the phrase hit the market! I am doing this LOVE letter NOW because of it…& by the way, SO STRONG & TALENTED, you never wanted the fanfare, limelight….so a little grace here, Deb…..I NEED to TELL A FEW who care some things about you IN this arena….
Here’s a crack at a “whiteboard” version/top of mind traits, slogans, names @ YOU that I became so enamored with over time………..
TROOPER — SOLDIER — BELIEVER — DEFENDER OF THE FAITH — DO-ER (as opposed to talker) — WALKER, anywhere, anytime
Sun-Bather, your Love Gift — SERVICE — when you’re down, help someone else UP! you told our children and others to “Find Your Strength”, loved to explore anything, anywhere with merit— you had a way of making people ACCEPTED without conditions — (that’s a walking Bible, eh!)
you LAUGHED EASILY and even in the most EMBARRASSING moments, found the humor — You woke up every day with a positive outlook –quick to forgive and move on— You demonstrated FRUGALITY & MODERATION & CONTENTEDNESS in the daily life whether we were on the mountaintop or the valley —you LISTENED WELL & paid attention to details that would often go right over my head — YOU WORKED HARD IN YOUR BARE FEET PREFERABLY , YES, TIL YOUR LAST BREATH — A model of consistency and tenacity that resonates to all of us — you were FILLED WITH IDEAS for SIMPLE PLEASURES— YOU LOVED TO TRAVEL — you were ALWAYS SMILING!!!! — & HAPPY, WHAT A GIFT! AN AMAZING MOTHER–who always strove to point the children in the right direction at all times —-IN YOUR WORK & PLAY embodied Joy, in “farming”, you were a planter who saw BEAUTY in ALL OF GOD’S CREATIONS — sometimes hard to find the flowers amongst those weeds, honey! just sayin’
loved walks in the local parks especially Pets — and we were just discovering Hawthorn Hollow lately! You were a balanced political observer and willing volunteer back in the “day” — the BACKBONE of ALL OF OUR SUCCESSES in business & a sober-minded GUIDE out of a few of my errors in judgement too —- YOU didn’t need MAKE UP to be BEAUTIFUL & HOW SWIFTLY YOU could get dressed and LOOK GREAT in order to help our six children get ready to be going wherever and rarely on time, but, that was OK TOO if the effort was there! You were WISE and carefully chose your words…….and were able to PUT ME IN MY PLACE when I needed it! You LOVED classic movies (Sound of Music) and tolerated my “action” and “comedy” flicks, too! Boardgames, puzzles, Cards (SPOONS!, man, you were GOOD!) — learning about ANYTHING & LET’S NOT FORGET @ “FRIENDS” — your GREATEST JOY, Your Children and Grandchildren — the LOOK IN YOUR EYE when acting or watching them being PURE JOY— WHAT A LEGACY!!! A SELF CONFESSED “PLANNER” , you were the Proverbs 31 woman who would “consider a field” and buy it — folks — many of you live in a subdivision that my wife brought to LIFE — can’t even remember them all now — but STONEFIELD, MISSION HILLS, HIDDEN GROVE, WHITTIER HEIGHTS, BRISTOL BAY, GREENTREE — Yes, DEB, YOU were out in FRONT PAVING THE WAY FOR “OTHERS” — the Slogan of the SALVATION ARMY — you did it with EVERYTHING YOU HAD IN YOU — a talent and ability as your service to FAMILIES……WOW
I must go on and share the elements of an ALPHABET VERSION of my description of you I just uncovered in a journal from OVER 30 years ago……….
A- adventurous B- Becoming C-cheerful D-dangerous/daredevil/delirious/delightful E- effervescent F- fun, fruity ,fresh G- gregarious, growing
H-hearty, herself, honest I-irreverent, imaginative, instinctive J-joker,jolly & jugular K-keeper, kind, knowledgeable L- legs, life,lanky M-motherly
N-neat, new-ish O-open hearted, ostentatious, opportunistic P-particular,partisan partner, philanthropic Q-quacky,quality,quick R-responsible
S-sure,sharp,selfless,snuggler,subdivider T-tardy,technician,thankful,thinker U-unction,unusual,useful V-venturesome,virtuous, vivacious
W-wild, whimsical, we X- xylophone(smile) Y-yak,”yoker”, young, YARDSTICK Z-zany,zealot,zestful,ZONED, zoom, zucchini
these are a few of my favorite things and 30 years later — NOTHING CHANGED DEAR!
____________________________________________
BOTTOM LINE — you achieved GREATNESS in the eyes of your children, family,friends and clients!
It’s EARLY, that’s it for NOW — probably more to come if my fingers be willing!
Hats Off!
Love,
Mike
PS— How’s the View from Heaven?! You Made It! Hello Jesus!
Bill O'Sullivan says:
Mike what a beautiful thoughtful tribute. 💕
Deb’s cousin Bill O’Sullivan
Donna (Bauer) Potter says:
Mike,
What a beautiful tribute to your wife Debi! I will miss my cousin but I know she is watching over us all! But most of all, your love for each other shined thru to all that encountered her! Love u all!
Donna (Bauer) Potter
Michael Auch says:
Well said Michael K. Well said brother and friend. Deb was amazing. Deb IS amazing, and lives on, before the Throne of Grace.
She was a best friend to my Cindy. They were two peas in a pod in so many ways, and yet so different. I reflect on all our getaways together as couples. Heidel House. Grand Geneva. Your own little private Idaho out in the county where we sometimes had sleepovers! Coming down to KC to stay with us. Such good times we had together. We sincerely delight in you two—and always will—you’ve been some of our most cherished friends.
During our times together I loved watching Deb and Cindy talk while you and I made fun of some newscast or cracked jokes during a ball game. Deb always connected so well with Cindy. (She had an easy clutch between herself and everyone else.) In many ways their friendship was the glue for the four of us, wouldn’t you agree? They loved each other so deeply. All our times together praying for her healing and talking deeply about God and life.
I cannot express the grief I watched overcome Cindy last week upon the news that Deb would be leaving us all. She knew what she was losing.
Deb was also a true friend to me—she was the first one to challenge me concerning Cindy and our future. We had been seeing each other for a short season. One day Deb and I had gone to a wedding together (Doug and Chris Eckert) because Cindy was the Maid of Honor and therefore unable to be my date. On the way Deb abruptly pulled over and parked. “So what’s up with you and Cindy? What are you waiting for?” She was protecting someone she loved, getting right to the point. Over the years she would do that with me once in awhile—I carry the private marks of being loved and cared for by her.
And she loved so many others well. She loved you unwaveringly, no matter. And all her kids. We will miss her dearly. Our times as couples will never be the same without her. There is a massive Debbie-sized hole in our future Mike. Presently I’m sad and will miss her. Eventually I’ll be happy when I think of Deb.
But for now I am grieving alongside you brother.
Much love, Mike Auch
Billy Conley says:
Beautiful
Silvia Casalena says:
We were neighbors in Mission Hill subdivision, and I remember fondly how our kids played together. It was truly a blessing to know her and her family. Please accept my heartfelt condolences, and may you find comfort in the love and support of those around you during this difficult time.
Silvia Casalena and Family
Jen Heiring says:
What a beautiful tribute Mike. It is surreal knowing she is not here with us. I think I was 16 or 17 yrs old when I met Debbie at Stanich Realty. She was an amazing mentor to me and took me under her wing in real estate. I remember the dreaded door knocking but somehow Debbie always made it fun with lots of laughs. We created the Tall Ones tag line and had so much fun with our silly ads. Debbie was a true friend, always putting others before herself. Even through her battle with ALS, she never complained and would ask how I was doing. She is one in a million and can’t wait to see her again in heaven. I imagine she is already working on a beautiful garden and making new friends that love her like everyone does here. Love you Deb,
Jen
Shirley Powell says:
Mike and Family: You all have my sincerest Sympathy!! I am so sorry for Your Loss!! You all are in My thoughts and Prayers! Sincerely Your old Friend, Shirley Powell
Tim and Jenny Van Pamel says:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Mike, and the rest of your family with the passing of your dear Deb. She was a true lady and will surely be missed by so many.