Our beloved Debbie, a 15-year resident of King City, OR passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at St. Vincent’s Hospital after a year-long battle with chemotherapy for cancer. She was closely surrounded by all members of her loving family there for several days.
Debra Joyce Olds was born on May 5, 1942 in Brainerd, MN, the eldest of four children born to Duaine and Juanita Olds. The family moved to Reedsburg, WI in 1955 where they all grew up and she graduated high school. Debbie studied nursing for a short time while living in Madison, WI, where she had a daughter, was divorced and then moved to northwest Illinois for several years where she remarried and her second daughter was born. The family then moved to and lived in Hawaii for several years during which time she divorced again. It was there that she met her late husband, Terry Dunlap, with whom she returned to the mainland and married several years later. While in Hawaii Deb also decided her heart had always been in cosmetology so took up that study and became a hairdresser. Her grown daughters were married and had taken up residence in the Portland area by that time so, after a short stint in Pennsylvania to spend time with Terry’s relatives, she and Terry relocated to Beaverton to live closer to the kids. About 15 years ago her feet gave out, and even though she continued to cut hair for family and friends alike when requested, decided she needed a sit-down job. At that time, she took a position with Electro Scientific Industries of Portland - where she remained employed until her illness - and later moved to King City.
Debra loved to sing and joined the Sweet Adelines Organization in both Johnsburg/McHenry, IL and in Hawaii. She loved to play golf and even worked for some time at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Course. But mostly, Debbie was renowned for her sense of humor and ability to have fun. Her frequent saying was "The more the merrier!" Ever the untiring party gal, she never missed a holiday on the calendar – even inventing a few of her own! – and decorated both home and office, always in full dress or costume for the occasion. She loved to travel and mingle with lots of people around her, and so joined the Red Hat Society here in Oregon, years ago, where she advanced to and reigned as Queen of her chapter. She was also an avid reader and craftsperson, creating many quilts and crocheted items for friends and family. Generous at heart, Debbie also gave routinely to various charities.
Debra didn’t always have an easy life but she maintained a joy-of-life attitude each and every day, always planning her next adventure. To the very end, she was hugging, loving and wise-cracking with all of us around her, trying to minimize our sadness by assuring us she had no regrets. Debbie was a good daughter, mother, loving grandmother (even housing a couple of her grandchildren while they attended college), best-friend sister, and wonderful friend to many. She was very much loved and will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
Debra is preceded in death by her late husband, Sargent First Class Terry Dunlap, recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and several other gallantry medals, buried in Arlington cemetery; and parents Duaine and Juanita Olds of Reedsburg, WI. She is survived by: her siblings Duaina Olds of Cary, IL, Todd Olds (Zoraida) of Alta Monte Springs, FL, and Tracy Finnegan (Joseph) of Reedsburg, WI; her Children Susan Hall (Michael) of Silverton, OR, Wendy Beresheim (David) of Rainier, OR; and her grandchildren Jonathan Cameron, Amanda Hall, Michael Hall, Jr., Lily Ann Foster, Jenna Beresheim, and Zackary Beresheim.
A Celebration of Life memorial will be held, as noted blow, on Saturday, June 10th, starting at 1:00 with the ceremony at 2:00 (if so inclined, feel free to bring a favorite picture of Debra for our memory board):
Tualatin Heritage Center
8700 SW Sweek Drive
Tualatin, OR 97062
Ph: (503) 885-1926
Private interment will be held at the family plot in Reedsburg, Wisconsin.
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