Debra Ann Forbes

Debra Ann Forbes

August 20, 1954 - January 07, 2024

Obituary

BARNEVELD - Debra Ann Forbes, age 69, of Barneveld, peacefully passed away at home surrounded by her family on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. She was born on Aug. 20, 1954, in Madison, the daughter of Edward and Jean (Benson) Darnell.


Debra graduated from Verona High School in 1972 and attended UW-Madison for a brief time until she was diagnosed with Diabetes.  Debra then worked for the DMV and remained there for 36 years retiring in 2010. She was united in marriage to Thomas "Tom" Forbes on May 15, 1982.


Debra loved being a mentor to her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She enjoyed reading, going to the casino, and being a member of the Barneveld Women’s Auxiliary. Debra belonged to the Masonic Orders of International Order of the Rainbow for Girls where in later years she served as Mother Advisor. She was also initiated into the Order of the Eastern Star of the State of Wisconsin, all associated through Masonic Temple #180 in Middleton, Wis.


Debra is survived by her husband, Tom; sons, John (Anne) Forbes and Josh (Michelle) Sickels; eight grandchildren, Alyson (Jeff ) Forbes, Alexis (Will) Forbes, Alayna (Blake) Forbes, Alora Forbes, Danni (Matt) Holis, Jacob Sickels, Brittany (James) Berned and Jordan Diehm; three great-grandchildren; brother, Jim (Michelle) Darnell; sisters, Vicki Metzger, June Daws and Linda (Bill) Hittesdorf; and her beloved cats, Mimi and Valerie. She was preceded in death by her parents; and daughters, Shea Forbes and Hope Forbes.


A memorial service will be held at BARNEVELD LUTHERAN CHURCH, 505 Swiss Lane, Barneveld, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, with Pastor Rhia Strohm presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. A luncheon will follow the service at church.
 

Memorials may be gifted in Debra’s name to the Family.


Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb
Funeral & Cremation Care
500 N. Eighth St.
(608) 437-5077

Events

20
Visitation
Sat Jan 20, 2024 @ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Barneveld Lutheran Church • 505 Swiss Lane, Barneveld, wi
20
Memorial Service
Sat Jan 20, 2024 @ 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM CDT
Barneveld Lutheran Church • 505 Swiss Lane, Barneveld, wi
No photos of Debra have been shared yet.
KP
Karen Pautzke
Other •
Debbie and I worked together at DOT. We were actually pregnant at the same time. She is now with them. RIP hugs to her family.
JF
Julie Bentz Fitzpatrick
Other •
I remember Debbie from our time at Verona High as warm-hearted and fun-loving. She always wore a smile and shared it with everyone. I'm glad and not surprised to learn that she was a bright spot in the lives of many and will be remembered as one of the good ones as time passes.
VM
Vicki (Darnell) Metzger
Other •
A beautiful lady has gone to live in Heaven with her daughter(s) and other loved ones. She is already being missed. She came from a loving, close family. And continued her life in the same tradition. She remembered every birthday, anniversary or special occasion. Debbie was artistic and creative. Always lending a hand to assist others with their projects. She was everyone's Interior Designer for their Barbie houses. Her original plan was to become an elementary teacher, before her health stopped that journey. Then she sought out a career with the Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation. She made many life long friends that she shared with me. As well as many advancements in her long career. Another role she cherished was being a Rainbow Girl in Middleton, WI. As her Worthy Advisor term, she choice "Hope Springs Eternal" as her theme. She was such a good role model that all of her sisters were eventually Rainbow Girls too. Eventually she became Mother Advisory to the girls. Always trying to keep thing interesting and fun. As girls gained more social activities, the Assembly closed. When one door closes, another opens. The two of us joined the Order of Eastern Star in Middleton. Though she was never an officer, she encouraged me being Sister Electra (one of the points of the star). As ladies in our twenties, our lives picked up pace. We were only active in E. Star for a few years. When Debbie met Tom, it was literally days, til they knew this was forever. They were united in a large wedding, with all sisters and besties were in the party. She absolutely loved being a mother, gaining 2 sons, John & Josh. Shortly after they welcomed her daughter. With happiness sometimes comes sorrow. Even with her strong constitution, the hardest time was when her daughter, Shea passed as a child. It comforted her knowing Shea joined other loved ones, including her half sister, Hope. Becoming the Guardian Angel. Debbie was a wonderful sister (most of the time 😉). She would walk us younger ones to the local beach (close to Spring Harbor neighborhood), for swimming lessons. We all started ice skating early and continued through high school. She had the pretty white skates. Also as the big sister, she walked me to school the first days, at Spring Harbor Elementary. She would do crossword puzzles and word searches, in her words, "to exercise my brain". She even got me started with Mahjong Tiles. Sometimes we would compete on our computers, side by side, in her livingroom. There are so many more memories from throughout our lives. Can't write them all down, that's a novel to be written another day. I love you, Debbie Darnell Forbes. And I will miss seeing you. But I will talk with you, always. Until we meet again, "I do set my bow in the clouds". Watch for it, sis. 💝, Gicki, Vicki Darnell Metzger

Share memorial