Debra Sue (Haskenhoff) Walentosky, 56, of Denver, Colorado and formerly of Sumner, died Wednesday, November 18, 2015, in Denver.
Viewing, 1:30 pm, Wednesday, November 25, 2015, Funeral Service to follow at 2 pm, both at the Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 1091 South Colorado Boulevard, Denver, CO 80246.
Sumner services will be held 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 30, 2015, at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner with Rev. Norman Bauer officiating. Interment will follow at Wilson Grove Cemetery in Sumner. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, November 29th at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour preceding services at the church on Monday.
Debra Sue Haskenhoff was born December 30, 1958, in Sumner, Iowa. Being the first child for Herman and Ruth Haskenhoff (first grandchild for Adam and Nellie Potratz; 4th grandchild for Fred and Martha Haskenhoff), Debbie was enthusiastically welcomed. Faith in God has always been central to Deb’s family AND to Debbie, herself. Debra was christened and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner, Iowa. She was educated in the Sumner Schools, graduating from Sumner Community High School in 1977. Deb went to further her education at Sioux Falls College (now University of Sioux Falls), graduating in 1981 with her BA.
For several years, Deb worked at the Sumner Swimming Pool as pool manager, lifeguard and swim instructor. In 1981 she taught elementary school music (for a semester), in Sumner, and later moved to Colorado where she worked as a nanny, swim instructor, ‘crafts’ consignments, receptionist (at Intracorp, Sloan's Lake and Janus Funds Investment), as well as selling Avon. God brought Joseph Michael Walentosky into Deb’s life in Colorado. Joe and Deb married October 8, 1995 at Heritage Christian Center, Denver.
Deb was a creator – she could make most anything she put her mind to! Like, weaving a basket large enough for her first nephew’s new toys OR designing her young cousins Hallowe’en costumes. Thru the years she has shown how to overcome and adapt – regardless of the situation. From hip surgery in junior high to thyroid cancer in her 20s to her on-going battle with the complications of diabetes, Debbie fought on and Joe was right by her side, helping and supporting in the various ways he could.
Debbie will be missed by her husband, Joseph Walentosky of Denver, Colorado; two siblings, Denise (John) Poland of Peoria, Illinois, and Daniel (Tina) Haskenhoff of Sumner; four nieces and nephews, Laura (Tim) Remus, Benjamin Poland, Andrew (Dani) Haskenhoff, and Kellie Poland; three great nieces and nephews, Miranda, Eric and Camden; as well as aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends. Debbie was welcomed into heaven by her grandparents, her parents and Jesus.
