Debra Jean Simon

Debra (Debbie) Jean Simon, 63, of Sioux City, surrcoming to death after a 6-month fight with brain cancer at a local care center.

Funeral will be held Thursday, April 7, at 10:30am from United Lutheran Church, 315 Hamilton Blvd., with Visitation1 hour prior to service. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. On-line condolences may be left for the family at www.christysmith.com .

Debbie was born June 19, 1958, in Sacramento, CA to Ernest and Joan (Andersen) Ostermeyer. She attended Irving & Roosevelt Elementary Schools, West Junior and graduated from West High School in Sioux City, IA in 1977. She was married to Mark Simon in 1979 and divorced in 1984. She lived with her common law husband, Michael J. Murphy, for 21 years until his death in 2007. She worked at Tastee Inn and Out as a teenager. She also worked in several local care centers as a CNA, cook and dietary supervisor at Julia’s Valley Manor & Hallmark Care Center.

When she was 35 years old, she became disabled and stayed home to raise her daughter. She was a member of United Lutheran Church here in Sioux City, IA. She enjoyed playing on local pool leagues for many years and enjoyed playing games while spending time with family and enjoyed watching TV. She also enjoyed helping friends.

She was preceded in death by 1 sister, Leanne Ostermeyer, her parents, Ernest & Joan Ostermeyer, her grandparents, 1 nephew, many aunts & uncles, and a few cousins.

Debbie is survived by her daughter, Anjelica (Travis) Gitchel; 4 grandchildren, Alyissa O., Colton K., Alyison K., and Cylas G.; her brother, Gary (Carol) Ostermeyer; 2 sisters, Sharon (Wade) Osborn, Karen (Kelly) Krueger; half-sister, Ernestine Engel; 2 fur baby dogs, Cronus, and Cora Mae; 3 aunts, Mary, Pauline, Evelyn; 6 nieces, 3 nephews; multitude of cousins; and several great-nieces & nephews.