Deborah Lynn Vreeland

Nov. 30, 1956-Aug. 16, 2010

CURTIS, Nebraska -- Deborah Lynn Vreeland, was born Nov. 30, 1956 at North Platte Nebraska and passed away on Aug. 16, 2010, after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 53. She was the fifth child of Nelson Eugene Jr. "Gene" and Mary Lou (Florom)Vreeland of Curtis, Nebraska.

Deb grew up in Curtis working for her mom in the Palace café, Raider Inn and Mary Lou's Drive Inn. She attended Medicine Valley School at Curtis; graduating in 1975. Deb went on to work at various jobs; she ventured to Morongo Valley California after graduation but discovered there is no place like home and returned to Curtis.

In 1976 she began working for Bud Hall at the Mobil Station. Deb was later offered a job at Frontier Village, where she performed maintenance duties.

She then took a job at Sperry New Holland where she painted many of the implements built in Lexington. Deb worked there until they moved the plant to Grand Island.

She tried her hand at sewing while working in North Platte at Tuf-Wear Man., making aprons, clothing and an assortment of bags.

In 1988 Deb went to work at Sears in North Platte. While working there she attended school in Chicago where she received her certification in small engine repair. She also repaired vacuums and other appliances. Debbie remained at Sears until the store closed, then began working at Karl's T.V. and Appliance as the Warehouse Manager.

Deb, then wanting to enlarge her horizons, took a job at Armadillo Express (1997-2004) where she was responsible for safely delivering train crews to and from their trains in different locations around Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Colorado and Kansas for the Union Pacific Railroad & Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. She loved her job there because of the friendships she formed with so many different people. This experience led her to apply for a job working for the Union Pacific Railroad (2004-2009) as a clerk in North Platte. She later transferred to Omaha where she worked as a clerk and crew caller until the time of her illness.

Debbie enjoyed meeting new people where ever she went. She enjoyed bowling and belonged to several leagues, she was an avid reader, and loved taking "road trips'" to the casinos. Debbie knew no strangers, she was a true and committed friend to everyone she met. Deb's most treasured moments were spent with her family. She will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. 


She was preceded in death by her father, Gene, a brother, Greg, grandparents, Hazen and Aletha (Schnase) Florom and Nelson and Donnie (Thomson) Vreeland.

Those left to cherish her memory include her mother, Mary Lou Vreeland of Curtis, Nebraska; two brothers, Kirk Vreeland of Kansas City, Missouri; and Mark (Barb) Vreeland of Haslet, Texas; three sisters, LaDonna (Jerry) Sundquist of Curtis, Nebraska; Kelly (Randy) Peterson of Amherst, Nebraska; Denise (Jerry) Wilcox of Crete, Nebraska; two half-sisters, Vicky Vreeland of Redmond, Washington and Kandi Holmberg of Palm Springs, California.; and nieces and nephews, Misty Atkins, Kera Vreeland, Michelle (Jim) Hackney, Michael (Vickie) Sundquist, Jeremy Sundquist, Lisa (Mike) Treadway, Sean Vreeland, Ryan Peterson, Josh Peterson, Erin Wilcox, Jesse (Jaime) Wilcox and Jordan Wilcox. Additional survivors include her aunts, Betty June Knox, Bonnie Arnold and Elizabeth Schnase and a multitude of relatives and friends.

Today is Debbie's time... may we each remember her with joy, thanksgiving and laughter... for that was her gift; and that gift will live in you forever.

Visitation will be held Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010, from 1 -8 p.m., at Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Curtis, Nebraska.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Aug. 20, 2010, at 11:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 402 Center, Curtis, Nebraska with Pastor Lana Fong officiating. Interment will follow in the Curtis Cemetery, Curtis, Nebraska.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Debbie Vreeland memorial fund to be designated at a later date, POB 167, Curtis, NE 69038.

To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.

Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.