Obit: Larrabee, Debra Lynn (1962 - 2018)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Larrabee, Messerschmidt, Kennedy, Roidt, Hamm, Robert, Roberts, Glowacki, Groll, Zastrow, Anderson, Biebert

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/02/2018

Larrabee, Debra Lynn (14 January 1962 – 24 April 2018)

Debra Larrabee, age 56, of Neillsville, WI died Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at the Marshfield Medical Center.

Debra Lynn Kennedy was born on January 14, 1962 in Hinsdale, IL the daughter of James and Myrtle (Messerschmidt) Kennedy. She graduated from East Troy High School in 1980. After graduating, Debra worked in factories in the East Troy area and was united in marriage to Joseph Roidt. She then worked with Joe at the Lake Mills Locker for many years. Joe died in 1993 and Debra moved to Neillsville with her fiancée in 1993. She and Norman Larrabee were married in September of that year in Colorado. Debra worked at the Ben Franklin store in Neillsville for a year and then for the next 23 years in food service at the Ho-Chunk Casino in Black River Falls.

She was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neillsville, and she was an active volunteer for the local 4-H when her children were young. Deb volunteered to help at many sporting events throughout the years and made sure she never missed her children’s activities. She loved her boxer dogs and riding her horses. She enjoyed traveling to see her husband or having girl’s weekends with her mother and cousin. Many people that knew Deb know that she always had a smile on her face and would always put others before herself. She was always there no matter how she was feeling for her husband, children, family, and friends. Many called her sweet Debbie because she was so caring and genuine.

She is survived by her husband, Norman, three children, Josh Roidt of Neillsville, Samantha Larrabee of Neillsville, and Brandon Larrabee of Eau Claire, three grandchildren, Kattie Roidt, Kylee Hamm and Kalan Hamm all of Neillsville, her mother, Myrtle Robert of Wautoma, two brothers, John (Rita) Kennedy of Fort Atkinson, and Dan (Rachel) Roberts of Elkhorn, nieces and nephews, Ashley Glowacki, Lea (Eric) Groll, Rachel(Josh), Megan and Logan Larrabee, her mother-in-law, Patti (Larry) Larrabee-Zastrow of Helenville, a sister-in-law, Diane Larrabee of Lake Mills, and her special friend and “second mother”, Rosemary Anderson of Neillsville.

Debra was preceded in death by her first husband, Joseph Roidt, her father, James Kennedy, her father-in-law, Norman Larrabee and a brother-in-law, Brian Larrabee.

A Memorial Service for Debra will be held at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, May 5, 2018 at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Pastor Timothy Biebert will officiate. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m., to 12:00 p.m., Saturday at the Gesche Funeral Home. Following services, a luncheon will be held at the Speakeasy Bar and Grill west of Neillsville.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Debra’s family with funeral arrangements.