Obituary of Debra Lane Claxton

Debra Claxton Obituary  

Debra Claxton, age 70, passed away peacefully after battling health complications for  over fourteen years on Sunday, February 18, 2024 in Greeley, CO.  She was born April 22, 1953 to Robert and Barbara Willson in Manchester, Iowa.  Her family moved often, living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Sibley, Iowa; Fort Smith, Arkansas; Camp Polk, Louisiana; Manhattan, Kansas; River Falls, Wisconsin; and Tempe, Arizona.  Deb was an adorable child who loved to laugh, dance to music, read, and entertain her family – she was the oldest of four.  Growing up, Deb was an active student, participating in many school activities, but she was most passionate about acting and writing. After graduating high school in 1971, she attended Worthington State Junior College and continued her education at Mankato State University, graduating in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mass Communications and a Minor in Sociology. She worked for both college newspapers and acted in various plays and productions.

Her family was the most important thing in her life. She had two children: Angela born in  1985 and Brian born in 1987. She was diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Disease in 1992, and  lost her third child, Charles, five days before her 39th Birthday. An early testament to her strength and resiliency, she continued to care for her children and started a job at Knott’s Camp Snoopy. Deb always loved to have fun, go on adventures, and of course laugh.  

Although nobody knew Deb when she moved to Pepin, Wisconsin in 1994, that all  changed when she started working for the Courier-Wedge, the local newspaper, in 1997 first as  a reporter and then the editor. It was a true labor of love though often stressful. Nonetheless, the entire family often tagged along, including her granddaughter Emily, who was born in November, 2000. Together they all shared many wonderful memories including traveling for sporting event playoffs, parades, and community events.  It showed an entire community her super-powers, which were showing up for people, supporting them, loving them with her whole heart, and making them laugh.  

Tragedy struck Deb and her family when her daughter Angela died in November, 2001. Deb continued to juggle it all somehow, and even received recognition for her work, winning an award from Pepin Area Schools for Excellent Press Coverage in 2000, a  Wisconsin Music Educator Association Award in 2002, and two consecutive WASB Media Honor Roll Awards in 2003 and 2004. She always showed up, supported, and loved with her whole heart.  

In retirement she self published It Ain’t Heavy - It’s The Lite Side which was based on her weekly humor column, and had stories published in My Funny Major Medical, and Open Doors: Fractured Fairy Tales. She acted in seven productions from  2014-2023 and realized her dream of becoming a professional character actor working for Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre from 2021-2023.  She had a renewed vibrancy for life after moving to Denver in 2017 and living in an Active Seniors Community, where she made many new and lasting friendships and enjoyed her independence at many concerts, shows, and events.  Most of all, she loved being close to her immediate family and spending time with her new grandson Felix, born November of 2023.  Deb will be dearly missed by everyone she touched in her 70 years of life.  

Deb was preceded in death by her stillborn son Charles Claxton, daughter Angela  Claxton, and her parents. She is survived by her brothers Scott (Annette) Willson and Gregory (Nicole) Willson,  sister Linda (Bruce) Anderson, son Brian (Mary) Claxton, grandchildren Emily Carlson and Felix Claxton.  

All are invited to attend either ceremony to pay their respects to Debra: 

Thursday March 7th at 5:00 PM  

Overture Central Park Community Room  

8133 E 29th Pl 

Denver, CO 80238 

Thursday March 21st at 7:00 PM  

Lake Harriet United Methodist Church  

4901 Chowen Ave S 

Minneapolis, MN 55410