Debra passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, March 17, 2025. Debby grew up in Garretson, South Dakota with her parents, Marvin and Dorothy DeSchepper, and her siblings, Beverly, Julie, Paul and Karen. She graduated from Garretson High School in 1969 and then attended University of South Dakota located in Vermillion, SD. She obtained her BS in Business Management &Accounting at Huron University and became a certified CPA. Debby moved to Sarasota, FL in 1972 and agreed to go on a blind date water-skiing and happened to meet the love of her life, Mark Edward LaCross. The two were married July 28th, 1973 in Venice, Florida. Debby and Mark lived as newlyweds in Jacksonville, FL where Mark was stationed in the United States Navy. In 1975 they welcomed their son Jonathan and in 1978 their daughter, Amy. Also in 1978, they moved their family back to Garretson, SD where Mark worked with John Deere, staying in South Dakota until 1998. Over the next 21 years they made homes in Devils Lake, ND, Appleton, WI, Eau Claire, WI & Ramsey, MN. Finally in 2016, they retired in beautiful Venice, FL where she loved hosting visits from her family. Throughout her life Debby enjoyed golfing, reading, bowling & crocheting. She was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Garretson, South Dakota and Epiphany Catholic Church in Venice, Florida.
Debby is survived by her husband Mark LaCross, her children Jonathan (Jessica) Lillian, Luke LaCross, Amy (Robert) Zaya, and Conrad Neifert and siblings Beverly DeSchepper, Paul DeSchpper, and Karen Schwenk.. Debra is proceeded in death by her parents Marvin and Dorothy DeSchepper, and her sister Julie Heinemann.
Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, March 25th at 2:30 in the Sarasota National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to Garretson, South Dakota Fire Department.
