Debra Louise Negen

Debra “Deb” Louise Negen, loving wife, mother of two, and beloved grandmother of four passed away unexpectedly at CentraCare Rice Memorial Hospital on Thursday, September 22, at the age 69.

A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 27, at Svea Lutheran Church.  Interment will be in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, September 26, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church.  Arrangements are entrusted to the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.  www.petersonbrothers.com  

Debra was born on May 19, 1953, to Roger and Beatrice Matson in Willmar, Minnesota.  She attended rural Willmar Schools and graduated from Willmar High School in 1971.  Debra earned a degree in secretarial studies from the Vo-Tech, then proceeded to work for numerous banks in Willmar. On June 1, 1974, Debra was united in marriage to Jerry Negen and they were blessed with two boys, Jeremy and Michael. Jerry and Debra made their home near Roseland for 25 years and then moved to her family farm, where she was born and raised. She loved living on the farm and really had a passion for mowing the lawn, but her favorite thing was to attend her son’s sporting events.  She was their number one fan and was so proud of them.  Later on, her greatest joy was her four grandchildren.  She cherished every moment and memory with them.  For any expected visit, grandma was waiting by the door, sometimes a half hour early.  The last few years she really looked forward to hearing the grandchildren giggle in the summer at the cabin.  

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Jerry of Willmar; two sons and four grandchildren, Jeremy & Erica Negen (Arthur & Ruby) of Jordan and Michael and Laura Jill Negen (Sophia & Henry) of Willmar, besides other relatives and many friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Dean and one sister, Diane.