Deborah Lavern Rotter (Newton)

Deborah “Debbie” Lavern Rotter (Newton) 77, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Wednesday June 25, 2025 at her home in Kronenwetter.

Debbie was born in California on October 12, 1947 to Leota and Roy Newton. She grew up in California and Kansas with her two siblings Linda and Randy. As she grew up, she worked with her family on different farms while her father was in the army. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Randy Newton, infant son Robert Bryon Reid, and her great grandsons Kyle and Atlas.

Debbie will be greatly missed as a mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She is survived by her daughter and best friend Angel Augustine (Terry Sonnentag), sister Linda Newton Perry (Chris Perry), grandchildren A.J. Augustine (Reese Wells), Brittney Augustine (Jack Kijek), Ex husband and close friends Dan and Barb Reid, as well as nieces and nephews. Debbie stayed close with old family friends and ex in-laws throughout her lifetime.

At the age of 16, in 1964, Debbie married Danny Reid while he was enlisted in the army and stationed in Kansas. They spent over 20 years together and traveled the country before settling in Wisconsin to raise their daughter Angel. During their marriage they were entrepreneurs that enjoyed different business ventures together including building homes and owning a water bed store. Later in life Debbie was a successful supervisor at L&S Electric for about 18 years. She was an intelligent, personable, and hard-working woman.

Some of Debbie’s greatest joys revolved around her family and helping raise her two grandchildren. She has meant the world to them, having been there for every occasion providing love and support their whole lives. Debbie especially enjoyed the annual Thanksgiving trips to her time share up north, a 33+ year tradition. There the week was spent with close family making unforgettable memories while playing games, swimming, and doing skits that earned her the nickname “Grand Master G.” Throughout her life she also loved and took care of many family pets. Debbie was an artistic individual with a love for writing poetry and painting. She enjoyed nature and spent time outside gardening, watching wildlife, reading, and leisurely kayaking. She had a great sense of humor and had fun going out dancing, to comedy shows, watching bands, or just sitting around having a drink with close friends. Being a gentle and nurturing person, Debbie was often cooking for family and many of her dishes will be missed, especially for holidays. When she wasn’t cooking, her favorite restaurants were Pinewood Supperclub and Papillion’s Pizza. In the evenings she looked forward to her texts and calls to her sister Linda in Oregon and would relax watching mystery and comedy shows.

She will be missed and always remembered for her graceful beauty and generous nature. Thank you to Interim Hospice services for the care provided during her final days, and also to Beste Funeral Home for their kind and professional help.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Online condolences can be directed to the family at www.bestefh.com.