Debra Ann (Myers) Ryan arrived on earth on March 24th, 1967 at 5:47 am; she returned to heaven on March 24th, 2026 at 5:51 pm.
Born in Marysville, CA to Leona and Robert C. Myers Sr. as the 3rd child of 4 (Robert Jr, Rhonda, Mike). She grew up all over California, from San Bernadino to Orange County to Yuba City.
In the mid 1970′s Deb’s family settled in Yuba City where she graduated from high school and where her father died July 4th 1980. She was active in her church youth group, and strong in her faith. Deb played the violin in high school and was a lifelong music lover.
Deb met her future husband John while both were watching the California cruise (think 1950′s car movies). After talking all night John was able to get a phone number to call for a date leading to a lifelong relationship. They would have fun skiing (both water & downhill), camping, and fishing as well as other unique and interesting experiences. John quit smoking because Deb bet that he could and she was right. John and Deb were married on July 11th, 1987. They were blessed with 2 beautiful daughters and 5 wonderful grandchildren.
Deb was born with a hole in her heart and overcame years of cardiological issues. A survivor of 5 open heart surgeries and other medical issues, she never considered herself handicapped. Her family often referred to her as a walking miracle. A couple examples, in 2004 a blood clot took her vision resulting in complete blindness. After Drs. said she would not regain her vision, God healed her to having limited vision. While legally blind most people were not aware of her condition. Then in 2008 she had another stroke taking her ability of speech. The first words she regained were “Thank you”. This shocked most of the nurses and staff, as usually the first words regained are swear words. Again, she recovered most of her speech; most unaware of her conditions such as aphasia and apraxia. All of the medical attention she received as a child inspired her to become a nurse so she could take care of others as she was cared for.
As a nurse she enjoyed home health taking care of kids & teenagers. One even asked her to accompany him & his date to prom. After moving to Dassel, MN she accepted a position in the Middle school Health Office where she worked for over 25 years. Deb was a recipient of an ESSA (Excellent Support Staff Award) due to her caring touch with students (many of whom would stop her in public and fondly thank her).
Deb went on multiple mission trips with her church family and enjoyed going on women’s retreats. She was very involved in supporting her family & community in activities such as 4-H, marching band, drumline, Fungus Amongus Community Theater, AWANA, & other church programs. Even being recognized with her family as volunteers of the year in 2010 at DC High School. She volunteered with WLSTA Vets on the Lake and was a Lifetime Member of the VFW Auxiliary. Outside of these involvements, Deb had recently started quilting. She loved a good cup of caribou coffee, ice cold tea, and loved time with friends and family, especially her grandkids.
Strong in her faith and considerate of everyone, she was loved by most people she met and left a lasting impression. With her latest health struggles all the medical staff stopped to thank her for letting them be part of her care team. Some even became new friends and would go out of their way to come visit with her. While recently diagnosed with metastasized renal cell carcinoma, GOD chose to use her heart maladies to bring her home.
Preceded in death by her sister Rhonda, father Robert Myers, stepfather Richard Lawson, mother Leona, brother Robert, brother Mike, and grandparents.
Survived by her husband John, daughters Sarah (Erik) Peterson and Kaitlyn Ryan, grandchildren Noelle, Madelyn, Emily, Evan and Alaina Peterson, as well as cousins, nieces and nephews. She was a beloved wife, mom, sister, friend, aunt and grandma. She will be missed by all her family and friends who are happy she is home and no longer struggling through pain. She will be lovingly remembered and cherished forever.
In lieu of plants and flowers, please donate to the American Heart Association or Cancer Society.
Visitation and Celebration of Life will be hosted at Highland Church in Cokato, MN. Visitation will be Friday 4/10, 4-7pm, followed by a prayer service. Celebration of Life Saturday, 4/11 at 11am.
For those unavailable to attend physically the services will be streamed via this link:
https://www.youtube.com/live/RwZCuF9RPKc?si=BgNOuL5IEQbps44b
Can also find on Highland’s live stream page.
Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, Minnesota 320 286 2534 swansonpeterson.com
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