Debra Rosheim Geske
Debra Rosheim Geske, 70, a beloved mother, sister, friend, and retired flight attendant, passed away Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at Wellington Place, Decorah. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, July 10, , at Luther College’s Recital Hall in the Center for Faith and Life building, with Rev. Stacey Nalean-Carlson officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The ALS Association, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Chapter, by going to their website, https://www.als.org/mn-nd-sd, or to the Listening House of St. Paul: www.listeninghouse.org.
Born in Spring Grove, Minn., May 30, 1951, Deb later moved to Decorah, where she graduated from Thomas Roberts High School in 1969. Deb then earned a bachelor’s degree in 1973 from Luther College, where her passion for politics was sparked.
Deb spent 46 years as a flight attendant for Northwest Airlines and Delta Airlines before retiring in 2019. She loved her career and it was a perfect fit for her bubbly, caring, and thoughtful nature. Every year around Christmas, Deb organized a get-together with fellow flight attendants to raise money and warm clothing items for the Listening House of St. Paul, a non-profit she was passionate about supporting.
When she wasn’t flying across the country for work, Deb often was busy hosting parties, participating in book clubs, seeing Broadway shows, and winning at local trivia hangouts. She was a proud Democrat who assisted many candidates throughout the years.
Deb’s true passion in life was being a mother to Jenny. They had a unique friendship that inspired others. Jenny’s friends latched onto Deb as if she was their own mother, affectionately branding their evenings “Dinners with Deb.” Every year on Jenny’s birthday, Deb would host a bowling party for Jenny and her friends and organize “Jenners’ trivia.” Nothing made Deb happier than being with her daughter to see a show or have dinner and a glass of wine at a hip restaurant in Minneapolis or Saint Paul.
Deb is survived by her daughter, Jennifer (Conor) McDougall; her partner, Michael Tone; her siblings: David (Roberta) Rosheim, Scott Rosheim, Carol (Randy) Rosheim, Nathan (Angela) Rosheim.
She was preceded in death by her father, Irving Rosheim; grandparents, Dr. Knut and Anne Rosheim; and brothers, Lon and Stephen Rosheim.
