Deborah Ellen Omanson Stevens, age 55, went to heaven to be with Jesus on January 22, 2008 at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD after a short battle with leukemia. A Service of Remembrance will be held 3:00 PM, Sunday, January 27, 2008 at the Emmanuel Evangelical Church (Yankton High School Theatre) Yankton, SD, with Rev. Charity Marquis officiating. Private family services of interment will be in the Sun Prairie Baptist Cemetery, rural Salem, SD. Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers will be Mike Stevens, Dwight Omanson, Mark Palmquist, Jason Omanson, Darrell Omanson, Micah Omanson, Glen Palmquist, and John Marquis.
Deb was born on March 4, 1952 to Reverend Oliver Omanson and Genevieve Palmquist Omanson. She graduated from Salem High School in 1970 and was the South Dakota State High School debate champion. She attended Bethel College where she graduated in 1974 with a double major in applied music (pipe organ) and education.
In 1975 she married Mike Stevens. In 1978, both Deb and Mike graduated together with each receiving postgraduate degrees. Deb received master degrees in music history and education while Mike received his law degree. In 1980 Deb received her doctorate degree from the University of South Dakota in educational psychology.
Deb's brother Darrell led her to the Lord Jesus Christ when was very young and her life was spent in the service to God. As a result, she used all of her educational and music talents in the service of the King of Kings. She taught Sunday school, vacation bible school, AWANA, led bible studies and she was one of the high school youth counselors. She taught her students that the only way to go to heaven was to believe in Jesus Christ. She was the church pianist, organist and accompanist beside the leader of the church orchestra. She attended Emmanuel Evangelical Church where she took great joy in assisting her father in his ministry. Her life verse was John 15:16.
In addition to her church activities, she was involved in several civic activities including being the President of the Yankton Community Concert Series and a member of the Yankton Area Arts Association Board.
Deb cherished the fact that she was able to be a "stay at home" mom. She poured her energies into the lives of Sophie and Sadie. She loved being able to help her daughters with their homework, reading to them, and taking them to school. She treasured being able to help them with their music lessons and as a result each were members of the South Dakota All State Orchestra.
She will be greatly missed by her husband Mike Stevens; daughters Sophie and Sadie; her parents Revered Oliver Omanson and Genevieve; her brothers Darrell (Sue) Omanson, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Dwight (Judy) Omanson, Torrance, California; and her many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews and cousins.
