Debra Schwiesow

Debra Lou Schwiesow was born May 17, 1957, in Denison, Iowa. The daughter of Donnie and Maxine Soper Steinkuehler. She passed away Thursday, September 20, 2012 at her home in Dow City, Iowa at the age of 55.
She grew up in Dow City and was baptized and attended Sunday School at the United Methodist Church in Dow City. Debra received her education in the Dow City Community Schools where she was a cheerleader. Debra was united in marriage to Louie Schwiesow Jr. on November 5, 1974, at the United Methodist Church in Dow City. Debra decided to attend CNA classes at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison after the birth of her second child. She worked as a nursing assistant at Eventide for several years along with various other jobs until the early 1990's, which at this time her parents health required her to care for them full-time.
Debra was a loving daughter, mother and grandmother. She loved socializing with family and friends and playing with her grand-children. She also enjoyed arts and crafts, embroidering, collecting antiques, putting together puzzles, playing on the computer and going to the casino in Council Bluffs and Onawa. Debra liked to fish, ride bikes, go on walks, and planting flowers and gardening. She enjoyed trips to Mississippi to visit her brother, Mick and his family. Debra was artistic and would add a personal touch to knickknacks and other items she found at stores and garage sales.
Debra was diagnosed with breast cancer in December of 2008. She underwent several surgeries and medical treatments, which she battled with her strength and faith. She always seemed to put others, especially her family before herself, she was always willing to help out others when they needed assistance.
Debra was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Mick Steinkuehler, and one nephew, Kraig Steinkuehler. Survivors include her children: Angela Jo Schwiesow, Shane Ryan Schwiesow, and Colton Jay Stephens and special friend, Andrea Anderson all of Dow City; three grandchildren, Joseph and Josie Heese and Noah Stephens; her special friend, Donovan Merritt of Dow City; one brother, Don Steinkuehler Jr. and his wife, Deb of Denison; and Kelsey Stephens, "her special daughter"; one sister-in-law, Billie Jean Siddon of Lexington, Mississippi; a special aunt, Sandy Terwilleger and her husband, John of Dow City; one half-sister, Paula Cross and her husband, Ron of Denison; other relatives and friends.