Debra Jean Smith

Debra Jean Smith, 61, of Columbus, Neb., died Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at the Josie Harper Hospice House in Omaha after a severe stroke and month-long battle with Leukemia. She was a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, daughter, sister, and aunt.

Mass of Christian Burial was on Friday, July 22 at 10 a.m., at St. Francis Catholic Church in Humphrey, Neb., and Father Steve Emanuel celebrated the mass. Interment was in the parish cemetery. Visitation was on Thursday from 5-7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. rosary at the church. Visitation will continue Friday from 9 a.m. until service time, also at the church. Memorials to be left to the family's discretion.

Debra “Deb” Jean Smith was born Sept. 6, 1960, in Columbus, Neb., to Mary Jean (Paprocki) and Melvin Schrant. Deb graduated from Humphrey High School and Columbus Community College where she became a licensed nurse.

On Aug. 12, 1989, Deb was united in marriage to Michael Smith at St. Francis Catholic Church. Deb and Mike raised their three daughters in Columbus. Deb worked as an LPN at the Columbus Manor and Prairie Village for many years. Deb enjoyed her flower and vegetable gardens, canning, plants, books, antiques, collecting dolls, rocks, and holy cards, making jean quilts, babysitting her grandson and great-nieces/nephews, talking on the phone with her daughters and sisters, helping her parents on the farm, and caring for her cat Piper.

Deb is survived by her hus band, Mike Smith; daughter Katherine (Jared) Werner; grandson Arlo Werner; daughter Molly (Kyle) Ebel; grandbaby Ebel due in December; daughter Lyzz (Eric) Leise; sister Sue (Dan) Pabian; father Melvin Schrant; sister Jeanette (Doug) Macken; sister Kathy (Tony) Klassen; brother David (Julie) Schrant; brother Joe (Ella) Schrant; sisters-in-law: Margaret Bragg (Edward), Marilyn Havel (Leonard), Maureen Baines (Larry), Melinda Brown (John P.), Monica Ahern (Chip), and Melanie Fechter (John F.); along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Deb was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Jean Schrant; sister-in-law Mary Gerst; mother-in-law Helen Smith; father-in-law Lawrence Smith.

Condolences may be sent to www.gasshaney.com