Debra Nelson

THE FUNERAL SERVICE FOR DEBRA NELSON WILL BE HELD AS SCHEDULED. There will be a live stream of the funeral service provided by Holy Family Church on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/holyfamilygf 

Debra Lea Nelson, 69, of Grand Forks, N.D., passed away surrounded by family on Saturday, February 12, 2022 after a short illness at Altru Hospital.

Deb was born on November 5, 1952 in Grand Forks at Saint Michael’s Hospital, the ninth of ten children of Walter and Mildred (Jeffrey) Myerchin. She and her family grew up near Warren, M.N., before moving to the Crookston area in 1955. She graduated from Crookston Central High School in 1971. Deb was married to Gary Kaltenberg and they were blessed with the joy of three children: Tiffany (1973), Corey (1976), and Shawn (1977).

Deb was united in marriage to Gregory Nelson on January 22, 1988 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Grand Forks. Together they were active in their faith – both serving as greeters, lectors, and eucharistic ministers at the church since the start of their engagement in 1987. They had one son together, Nicholas (1989).

Deb worked at the University of North Dakota for a short time before beginning her lifelong career as an administrative assistant at United Hospital and Altru Health System. Her biggest achievements at Altru included coordinating the yearly employee recognition dinner, serving as a hospital ambassador, and coordinating other company events. Deb served the health system and community for over three decades before retiring in 2013.

Deb enjoyed tending to her garden and flowers in the sunshine; snuggling with her dogs Muffin, Lola, and Rosie; playing bunco with her friends and coworkers from Altru Hospital; spending summer weekends at the lake near Vergas with her Women’s Weekend friends; watching UND hockey games as an avid fan; observing the sights and sounds of the robins, chickadees, cardinals, and mourning doves that visited her home; playing baseball and solving sudoku puzzles. Above all else, Deb was a proud, devoted mother and grandmother. Her biggest joy came from spending time with her babies, young or grown, at every opportunity.

Deb is survived by her husband, Greg, and ex-husband, Gary. She leaves behind her children: Tiffany (Allen) Neiss, Corey (Tina) Kaltenberg, Shawn (Amanda) Kaltenberg, and Nick Nelson; grandchildren Logan and Lily Kaltenberg and Aubrey Schmaltz; siblings Mary Beth (Donald) Solheim, Sheldon (Diana) Myerchin, Joyce (Gary) Klava, Harvey (Carolyn) Myerchin, Ted Myerchin, Audrey McNulty Mangan, brother-in-law Sherman Hirsch, and brother Dennis Myerchin.

Deb is preceded in death by her father Walter Myerchin, mother Mildred Myerchin Overgaard and stepfather Albert Overgaard, sister Marilyn Hirsch, brother Dale and sister-in-law Jean Myerchin, sister-in-law Delores Myerchin, sister-in-law Cindy Myerchin, niece Renè Myerchin, and great-nephew Matthew LeBlanc.

Visitation will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church on Friday, February 18, 2022 at noon followed by a funeral mass and celebration of Deb’s life at 1:00 p.m. A livestream of the service will be available via the Holy Family Catholic Church Facebook page. Mausoleum interment will directly follow the mass at Memorial Park Cemetery.  

Memorials are preferred to go to the Circle of Friends Animal Shelter as well as the Holy Family St. Mary’s School Scholarship Fund.

May God bless Deb’s memory and the love she shared throughout her lifetime.