Debra Downing (1956-2015)

Debra Downing

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

Debby was born on September 4th, 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 4th, 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 29th 2015 at 6:30PM in the Kemper Center Founders Hall. (6501-3rd 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.

Thought for Debra Downing (1956-2015)

  • Dinese Schmunck - Dam says:

    Jeff and kids, and of course Dawn,
    I am so sorry that Debby is gone. It still seems unreal to me. Debby and I were best of friends from our early elementary days. As our families grew, we just got so lost into that. She was my best friend in school. Every weekend we stayed by each others house. We had our babies together, and always enjoyed each others company. I loved her like a sister. She was a wonderful caring and loving person. Always tried to be there for everyone. She will be greatly missed. RIP Debby, I love you.
    It’s hard to understand, why people are taken from us, but find comfort in knowing you were a special part of such a beloved life.
    Blessings,
    Dinese

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