Deborah “Debbie” Sowinski lived the kind of life that people gravitated toward.

She was the person who could walk into a room and leave with new friends. She loved conversation, laughter, and connection, and she had a way of making people feel comfortable almost instantly. Outgoing, friendly, and easy to talk to, Debbie didn’t just attend gatherings, she made them better.

At the center of her world was her family. Debbie was a devoted wife to her husband, Jack, and a wonderful, loving mother to her two daughters. She showed her love in the ways she lived every day—through the meals she made, the traditions she created, the care she gave, and the pride she took in her family.

Debbie never showed up to a party empty-handed, and people were always hoping she’d bring one of her signature dishes. Her potato salad, shrimp salad, and three bean salad were crowd favorites, while her pickled Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, and Packers beans became well-loved staples at local bars. But if you ask the people closest to her, they’ll tell you her lasagna, spaghetti, and meatloaf were the foods of legend.

She loved to host. Whether it was in her backyard, out on the pontoon, or gathered around a table at home, Debbie created spaces where people felt welcome, well-fed, and cared for.

Debbie also lived life outdoors. She found joy in fishing, deer hunting, canoeing, camping, bike riding, horseback riding, and soaking up the sun. In the summer, you could usually find her tanning in the backyard or on the pontoon, or tending to her garden. She had a lifelong love of animals and nature, from feeding the birds in her yard to caring for anything soft, furry, or feathered.

She was creative, too. As a young woman, she loved drawing horses and even owned an Appaloosa named Gabriel. That same care and creativity showed up when her children were young, when she sewed their clothes by hand, including the dress her oldest daughter wore on her wedding day.

Debbie loved music and dancing, especially The Beatles, and she had a deep appreciation for a good laugh. She enjoyed comedies like My Cousin Vinny and never missed a chance to watch Columbo. She was also a devoted reader, with a special love for authors like Stephen King and Janet Evanovich. And somewhere, tucked away, is a recipe collection thousands strong, because Debbie was always saving the next good idea.

She took pride in how she showed up in the world. Whether camping, boating, or just heading out for the day, Debbie always went the extra mile to look her best. She also had a spirited side. Petite but feisty, she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, drop a well-timed F-bomb, or remind you that her father, a former boxer, made sure she knew how to stand her ground.

She loved fast cars, especially manual transmissions, and anything that gave her a sense of movement and freedom, whether it was behind the wheel or on horseback.

Debbie was also a dedicated Green Bay Packers fan. She wore her team pride proudly, from earrings to vests, and loved watching games surrounded by family and friends, cheering loudly and wholeheartedly.

She worked hard throughout her life and was deeply respected for it. Debbie held many roles over the years, including waitress, mortgage worker, cook at Burger King, press operator at T-Lon, bindery worker at CCI and Village Graphics, and piece work at Briggs & Stratton. In every job, she was known for her reliability, strong work ethic, and the pride she took in doing things well.

Debbie is survived by her husband, Jack Sowinski; her daughters, Jessica Rashke (Owen) and Kristin Cole; her sister, Nancy Sowinski (Gary); her brothers, Mark Keene (Terri), Brian Keene, Raymond Keene, and Michael Keene; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will miss her deeply.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jeanne and Lawrence Keene.

A celebration of Debbie’s life will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Naga-Waukee Park (picnic shelter #3). All who knew and loved her are welcome to attend.

If you knew Debbie, you probably have a story. A meal she made, a party she hosted, a conversation you didn’t expect but won’t forget. That’s how she’ll be remembered, through the moments she created and the people she brought together.