Debra Marie Gustafson

Debra “Debbie” Marie (Maki) Gustafson made her journey to her eternal home on December 27, 2024, surrounded by loved ones at her home at Vitacare. She was born to Ruth Marie (Peterson) Maki and Sidney Roger Dean Maki on August 21, 1958, in Tomahawk, WI. She is the oldest sister to Tammie Lynn and Lori Ann. She attended Rib Lake Elementary School, Tripoli Elementary, Junior High School, and Prentice High School. She got her GED at NTC in 2002. The day before her daughter Dawn graduated. She married Delbert C. Gustafson on November 9, 1979. They started their family, son, Daniel Edward, and daughter Dawn Marie. 

Debbie started her forever work life at the Golden Living Center in Rib Lake as a CNA in 1978. She was a CNA for 35 years; at times she worked as an HHA for Hope Hospice for 20 years. She retired in 2012 for health reasons. She was an organizer of every event she was involved with, including Family Reunions and Co-workers get togethers. She held a leadership role in all the organizations she belonged to. She was a leader of the Deaconess’s for 12 years. Ogema Baptist Church was also a big part of her life, she had a strong faith in God.

She and Delbert enjoyed going to the sports games that Dan and Dawn played in. Later they enjoyed the sport games and plays that their granddaughters played in. They also went to the Brewers games 3 – 4 times. They enjoyed taking Dan and Dawn to Six Flags, as well as nieces, nephews, and friends of the children. They also took them to MN Valley Fair, WI Dells, Duluth, MN, and County Fairs. She also loved to travel and go camping with family and friends. Debbie was always a people person, some might remember her selling Amway, Tupperware, Pampered Chef or Life Force. 

She is survived by her children: Dan (Katie) Gustafson, Medford, Dawn (Wayne) Korenuk, Medford; granddaughters: Stacey, Alexandra Gustafson, and Zoe Korenuk; sisters: Tammie Reynolds, Medford, Lori (Don) Erickson, Rothschild; stepsisters: Debbie Lind, Rib Lake, Diana DeBoth, Westboro, Dawn (Hal) Swenson, Rib Lake, Darcy (Mark) Johnson, Tripoli, Linda Abundiz, Wausau; stepbrother: Thomas Engels, Wausau; sister-in-law: Kathy (Mel) Linvik, Cudahy; brother-in-law: John (Deanny) Gustafson, Ogema; aunts: Linda Cook, Phillips, Carol Knight, Sequim, WA; uncles: Ken (Patti) Maki, Surprise, AZ, Arvid (Kim) Peterson, Medford; great aunt: Shirley (Ardin) Wiitala, Rib Lake; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and many many friends and family through God.

Debbie was preceded in death by her husband: Delbert; parents; Sidney (Ellie) Maki, Ruth (Thomas Sr.) Engels; grandparents: Maggie (Alex Peterson) Golder, Irene (Edward Maki) Perkio; aunts: Alice Peterson, June Maki; uncles: Richard Peterson, Edward Peterson, Emmery (Marcy) Peterson, Bob (Carol) Peterson, Arlie Knight; brother-in-law: Steven Reynolds, Harold Gustafson; sister-in-law: Melba (Clifford) Swan, Lois Gustafson; cousins: Linda Reed, Kevin Peterson, Laura Knight and Wade Knight.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 11:00 am at Ogema Baptist Church in Ogema, WI. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am.

We want to thank Vitacare and Hope Hospice Medford, WI for taking such great care of Debbie.