Funeral service for Debra McEwan was held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 2 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Emmetsburg. The Rev. Peter Morlock officiated. Inurnment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Emmetsburg.
Debra Renee McEwan, daughter of Larry Dean and Alice Marie (Nutt) Edwards, was born Sept. 16, 1968 in North Platte, Nebraska. When Debra was six, Alice later married Don McEwan. Debra received her education in Emmetsburg and during her senior year, Debra attended school in Austin, Minnesota. Following high school, she studied Journalism in college. As a child, she was a member of 4-H where she had a pony and raised many rabbits.
Debra was united in marriage to Tim Hawley and they were blessed with three children. Later, Debra was married to Doug Mutchler and two daughters joined their family.
Debra was employed as a journalist at the Hayfield newspaper. She wrote for various magazines and submitted poetry that was published. During her years in Hayfield, she also ran an in-home daycare. Debra returned to Iowa where she was employed at Alco and Subway in Emmetsburg and later managed the Sparky’s Convenience Store in Mallard.
Debra had a passion for raising her children and for her family life. Debra became very active in online Bible Study Groups where she grew in her faith and connected with people from all over the world. She once loved making candles, jewelry, and painting signs. She sold the beautiful items she made. Debra enjoyed gardening and couldn’t go a day without coffee. She had a collection of coffee mugs that were very special to her. She also liked taking photographs to keep her memories alive.
Debra passed away Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 at the Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg at the age of 54. She was preceded in death by her mother, Alice McEwan; her father Larry Edwards; and her brother Ron Edwards.
She is survived by her children, Alyssa Hawley of Kansas City, Missouri, Jon Hawley of Estherville, Mike (fiancée, Samantha) Hawley of Colton, South Dakota, Skylar Mutchler of Wayne, Nebraska and Sierra Messinger of Wayne, Nebraska; sister, Teresa (Steve) Olson of Spencer; brothers Dean Edwards of Fort Collins, Colorado, Joe (Stephanie Brown) McEwan of Emmetsburg, and Logan (Tiffany) McEwan of Denver, Iowa; father, Don McEwan; as well as many other relatives and friends.
Arrangements were made by the Martin-Mattice Funeral Home in Emmetsburg.
Condolences can be left at
www.martinmattice
funeralhome.com
