Debra St. John
October 12, 1957 ~ August 26, 2011
Debra Jo St. John, 53, of Rapid City, passed away Friday, August 26, 2011 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital after a long illness.
Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 29, 2011 at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Big Bend. Burial followed at the St. John Family Cemetery, Big Bend. A wake service began at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, August 28, 2011 at the church.
Debra was born October 12, 1957 in Pierre, SD to Miles Pete and Doris (Heuer) St. John. She attended grade school in Pierre and later attended college at Black Hills State University and Aberdeen Northern State College; graduating with an accounting degree. She worked various jobs throughout the state of South Dakota; Job Services, United Sioux Tribes, Legal Secretary, and H&R Block. She was very skilled in Native American beadwork/artwork and has made various items for museums some which still can be seen in Pierre and Murdo and with friends, and family. Her portrait was taken at the request of Job Service of South Dakota pamphlet to promote a college education. In 1983, she was offered a position in Washington D.C. with the Department of Labor.
The best highlights of her last years were spending time with her grandchildren.
Debra is survived by two daughters, Chila Bowles and Chenoa Bowles Russel of Ohio; four sons: Wade Bowles, Richard Coleman, Joshua Coleman, Johny Coleman, all of Lower Brule; six grandchildren: Ja' Kai, Orrianna, Joshua II, Preston, Naiomi, Veronica; four sisters: Bernice Walz of Sioux Falls, Arlene Black Bird of Eagle Butte, Dawn Palmer of Belle Fourche, and Crystal St. John of Sioux Falls; one brother, Duane St. John of Big Bend; a very special friend Jeff Brueger of Rapid City and many nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles.
She was preceded in death by brother Tek (Miles P. St. John Jr.) and son, Jerad Quilt.
Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Debra’s arrangements.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
To the family of Debra we are so sorry to hear of the loss of your sister and daughter. She was a very neat person and will be greatly missed. You all are in our prayers!
My dear friend Chenoa, Preston, Naiomi, and Veronica, you are all in my thoughts and prayers this week as you deal with your loss! You all hold a very special place in my heart ! Lots of love! Lisa
Dawn, Jim and Family….So sorry for your loss. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. Please, if there is anything we can do, big or small, let us know!!
Children you will love, miss and never forget your Mother, please take comfort in knowing that just as death cannot stop your love. Death does not stop, nor cause Jehovah to forget her and the promise Jesus Christ made of a Resurrection is your hope for her now.
I miss you Mommy. I miss our long talks. I miss your advice and your words. I know at times the happiness I feel is you still helping me mom. Your loving, daughter Chenoa Christine
I love and miss my mom every day. I wish my daughter Paisley got to meet her. I still wish we had more time just know your son is trying his best. Until we meet again.