Debora Marie Dawdy, 69, of Sioux City, passed away Monday, June 23, 2025, from a brief struggle with breast cancer, at home surrounded by her loved ones. A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 2-4 at Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City, 4125 Orleans Ave.  We will be serving coffee, a variety of cookies and snacks.

She was born to William and Margaret (Luft) Lane on March 23, 1956, in Los Angeles, CA. She moved to Sioux City at a young age and attended East High School. Soon she began a decade's long career at Aalfs Manufacturing until they closed, which led her to a lifelong career of caring for those in retirement home. She worked for 20 years at Countryside Retirement home until their closing but continued in the industry at Pioneer Retirement Living in Sergeant Bluff until her diagnoses. Debbie was always a selfless person and put other's needs above her own. She was always a caretaker, whether it be her career or taking care of family members who needed help.

In 1975, Debbie was united in marriage to Matthew Dawdy and they went on to have two children (Trisha Desrosiers and Stephanie Ross). Although they later divorced, they always remained in contact and cared deeply for each other. Debbie took great pride in caring for those that she loved. If ever there was a family member or friend in need, she would help in any way that she was able to. Family was important to Debbie and even though she wasn't a fan of big gatherings, she did her best to never miss a birthday party, baby shower, or other special get-togethers that the family would have.

Debbie was never one to be late for anything except some of these gatherings because she would usually attend with Trisha, (her oldest daughter who was the one who always said she would be on time to the party but was always the one who showed up late!).  She was also an avid bingo player for many years, and she loved finding good deals at garage sales or the goodwill. She loved taking old items and turning them into something new and always had her trusty glue gun at the ready for any project.

Although she always claimed to not be fond of animals, she started to enjoy the family pets following her around the house all day and night and even began to let the cat (Zora) sleep on her bed! She also came to love Ford, Hensley, Gizmo, and Nomi (who passed in Oct.), her Grand dogs. Debbie loved to talk and laugh, as all knew her, she liked to do it loudly too. She was loved by so many throughout her full but far too short life. She will be very missed by all.

Debbie is survived by her daughter, Stephanie and her husband Deke Ross, and their children (her grandchildren) Jace Ross, Taye Ross, and Lane Ross. Her sister Barb and her husband Donnie Derochie, her brother Patrick Graham and many brother and sisters-in-law that she loved very much, a bonus sister and best friend, Cheri Carmen, Mikey Trotter (who Debbie always thought of as a bonus daughter) and her children; Myiah, Augie, and Harley Jo., Lori Voss (also a bonus daughter) and her children Tanner and Ava, plus, many other friends that she would also consider family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Matthew Dawdy; her parents, Bill Lane and Margaret Luft; and her daughter Trisha Desrosiers. Her maternal grandparents, Clarence and Margaret Luft; her brother Mike Graham; her sister Cindy Lambert and in-laws, James and Leola Dawdy, Sony, Gene, Mark, and Wayne; nephews, Jason and Jake, and niece Peyzlee.