Debra Downing (1956-2015)

Debra Downing, age 59, a resident of Somers, died December 15^th 2015 at M.D. Anderson Medical Center in Houston TX after a courageous battle with leukemia.

Debby was born on September 4^th, 1956, in Milwaukee to George and Jean (Ritger) Raabe. The family moved to Kenosha when she was a young girl and she was educated in the local schools.

On July 4^th, 1990, she was united in marriage with Jesse Downing in Las Vegas. Debby made her living in the restaurant industry, most recently as the owner and operator of Tarbender’s Bar and Grill.

Debby enjoyed traveling, especially to Aruba and Las Vegas, her two favorite places. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and her dogs Sammy and Rudy. Her hobbies included bowling and darts, and she had great times with her dart team “Bender’s Barbies and Ken.” Christmas was her favorite time of year. She loved decorating the house and baking cookies with her oldest granddaughter, Maiella. Debby was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Barry Manilow.

Many years ago, Debby said if anything happened to her, she would like to donate her organs to help others. Leukemia took away that option. As an alternative way to honor her wishes, Debby had an autopsy that will be used for medical research, which hopefully will help future leukemia patients. She was always helping others, and this is her final way to do that.

Surviving Debra is her loving husband Jesse, of Somers, as well as her three children, Daniel Perkins of Kenosha, Michael Perkins of Somers and Jennifer (Dale) Milkus of Pleasant Prairie. She is further survived by her three grandchildren, Maiella Perkins, Aiden Perkins and Kyleigh Perkins and by her sister Dawn Raabe of Pleasant Prairie.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday December 29^th 2015 at 6:30PM in the Kemper Center Founders Hall. (6501-3^rd Avenue) Visitation with the family will be on Tuesday in Founders Hall from4:00PM until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, donations to Lazarex Cancer Foundation would be appreciated. www.lazarex.org.