Debra Kay (Schafbuch) Meacham

Debra Kay Schafbuch was born on March 21, 1956 to Evelyn (Hoium) and Virgil Schafbuch. At the intersection of 44th and Osseo Road, she was born in the back of a car on the way to the hospital. She lived her whole life on her own terms. Deb was the baby of the family with 5 older brothers and sisters. She grew up in Brooklyn Center, until she moved to Anoka with her mother, her sister, Rosanne and her brother, Byron. Deb was very close to her sister Rosanne. If you saw one of them, the other was always nearby.

Deb graduated with the class of 1974 at Anoka High School. She then began working at Multifoods in accounting and then the advertising department, where she was the printing buyer. After eight years of commuting by bus to downtown Minneapolis, she decided to become a Family Financial Worker for Anoka County. That move turned her commute into a 2 block walk. After 15 years with Anoka County, Deb had to take an early retirement because of her health.

Deb had her own independent agenda and despite many years of being disabled with debilitating migraines, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia, she still had many creative ideas and plans. She was an avid crocheter, crafter, gardener and animal lover. She was even planning to start her own business of selling jewelry and antique glassware.

Deb married David Meacham on December 6, 1997. They divorced in 2019, but remained good friends.

Deb never had her own children, but she built her own loving family out of the many animals she loved and cherished. From Jocko the Cockatoo, to Sam the dog, to Potter, her beloved cat, and Murphy, her most beloved dog. Murphy was able to predict when she was going to get a migraine and was able to alert her to give her time to take her medicine. She loved all of them with her whole heart.

Deb died on September 25, 2023 at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, Minnesota following an extended illness at the age of 67.

She was preceded in death by her parents Evelyn and Virgil Schafbuch, brother Victor (Darlene) Schafbuch, sisters: Janice (Richard) Winter, Arlene (Delford) Anderson and Rosanne (Frank) Hickey; sister in law Sandra Schafbuch, two nephews, former spouse and friend David Meacham and her two dogs Murphy and Sam. Debra is survived by her brother Byron Schafbuch, nieces Karri (Mark) Guck and Lynn (Joe) Anderson; many other nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and her fur baby cat Potter.

Please join us following the memorial service for an informal gathering to continue the Celebration and Remembrance of Deb's Life at Billy's Bar & Grill, 214 Jackson St, Anoka.