Debra Kay Smith, age 51

Debra Kay Smith of Gaylord and formerly of Le Sueur and New Prague, Minnesota passed away on Monday, December 26th, 2016 at the Mala Strana Nursing home in New Prague at the age of 51 years old.

She was born on April 5th, 1965 in Saint Ansgar, Iowa to Justin and Delores Tieman (Ripka). Deb graduated from Saint Ansgar High School. She married Richard Smith on July 17th, 1999 at the Little Brown Church just outside of Nashua, Iowa where they lived. In 2000, they moved to New Prague, Minnesota and resided there until moving yet again in 2009 to the town of Le Sueur. In 2014, Rick and Deb moved for the final time to a small acreage south of the town of Gaylord. Deb worked for many years as a daycare provider in Iowa and Minnesota, at one time caring for upwards of ten children. After her first spell of cancer was over and she was ready to start working again, she got a job as a cashier at Alco in Le Sueur. She loved her family more than anything in life, but she also took a liking to animals, flowers and gardening, and playing card games.

She is survived by her husband, Rick and children, Joshua Smith of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Sarah (Scott) Lester of Clear Lake, Iowa, Nick (Amber Sorbo) Smith of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Stephanie Smith of Mankato, Minnesota, and her youngest son Michael Smith of New Prague, Minnesota. There are also her three grandchildren: Kennedy, Grayson, and Violet Lester, as well as Deb’s siblings Dennis (Deb) Tieman of Fremont, Wisconsin, Darwin Tieman, Spencer Tieman, Brian Tieman, LaRae Tieman, and Doug Tieman all of Lyle, Minnesota and Denise (Shane) Ferguson of Lakeville, Minnesota as well as nieces and nephews. She was preceeded in death by her parents.

Memorial Services were held on Friday, December 30th, 2016 at 11am at the United Methodist Church in Le Sueur. Visitation was one hour prior to the services at the church.

Kolden Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.