Debra Ann Newland, age 60, of Sioux City passed away on Friday, October 24, 2014 at a Sioux City hospital from a brief illness.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 7:00 PM on Monday November 3, 2014 at First Assembly of God in Sioux City. A private family burial will take place prior to the service at the Whiting, Iowa Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City 4125 Orleans Avenue is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be made at www.waterburyfuneralserviceinc.com.

Debra was born in Tooele, Utah on June 5, 1954, the daughter of Billie Jo and Shirley (Larson) Newland. She moved to Sioux City at the age of 14 with her family. She graduated from Riverside High School with the class of 1972. Debra worked as a medical secretary in the health care field for many years.

She was a certified clown known as "Penelope Petunia". Deb was active in Girl Scouts serving as a Troop Leader, Troop Organizer, and the Neighborhood Chairperson. She taught ceramics for many years, collected angels and started her own business called
"This-N-That Crafts". Deb loved music, liked to bake, and was known as being very organized and always wanting to help others.

She was a member of Riverside United Methodist Church, and was currently attending First Assembly of God. She served on the Riverside PAC committee, a member of the Neighborhood Network, and previouously served on the City of Sioux City Parks and Recreation Board. She was an active member of Friendship House, where she loved to share her knowledge of arts and crafts.

Debra is survived by an Uncle, Jim Larson of St. Paul, Minnesota, Aunts: Pat Irvin of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Marilyn Larson of Sloan, Iowa along with her extended family in Utah, plus many cousins and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Erick, sisters Verda Newland, and Kathy Den Besten and her husband, Harlan "Butch" Den Besten.