Debra Jean Smith, 61, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at the Josie Harper Hospice House in Omaha after a severe stroke and month-long battle with Leukemia. She was a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, daughter, sister, and aunt.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, July 22 at 10:00 AM, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Humphrey, Nebraska, with Fr. Steve Emanuel celebrating the mass. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM rosary at the church. Visitation will continue on Friday from 9:00 AM until service time, also at the church. Memorials to be left to the family's discretion.

Debra "Deb" Jean Smith was born September 6, 1960, in Columbus, Nebraska, to Mary Jean (Paprocki) and Melvin Schrant. Deb graduated from Humphrey High School and Columbus Community College where she became a licensed nurse.

On August 12, 1989, Deb was united in marriage to Michael Smith at St. Francis Catholic Church. Deb and Mike raised their three daughters in Columbus. Deb worked as an LPN at the Columbus Manor and Prairie Village for many years. Deb enjoyed her flower and vegetable gardens, canning, plants, books, antiques, collecting dolls, rocks, and holy cards, making jean quilts, babysitting her grandson and great-nieces/nephews, talking on the phone with her daughters and sisters, helping her parents on the farm, and caring for her cat Piper.

Deb is survived by her husband, Mike Smith; daughter Katherine (Jared) Werner; grandson Arlo Werner; daughter Molly (Kyle) Ebel; grandbaby Ebel due in December; daughter Lyzz (Eric) Leise; sister Sue (Dan) Pabian; father Melvin Schrant; sister Jeanette (Doug) Macken; sister Kathy (Tony) Klassen; brother David (Julie) Schrant; brother Joe (Ella) Schrant; sisters-in-law: Margaret Bragg (Edward), Marilyn Havel (Leonard), Maureen Baines (Larry), Melinda Brown (John P.), Monica Ahern (Chip), and Melanie Fechter (John F.); along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Deb was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Jean Schrant; sister-in-law Mary Gerst; mother-in-law Helen Smith; father-in-law Lawrence Smith.

Service Folder Information
Angel of God,
my guardian dear,
to whom God's love commits me here,
ever this day be at my side,
to light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.




In Loving Memory Of

Debra Jean Smith

Born
Tuesday, September 6, 1960
Columbus, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
Omaha, Nebraska

Mass of Christian Burial
Friday, July 22, 2022 10:00 AM
St. Francis Catholic Church
Humphrey, Nebraska

Celebrant
Fr. Steve Emanuel

Music
Ann Cattau

Honorary Bearers
Deb's Godchildren
Katie Korth
Megan Kallweit
Becky Paben
Bryan Klassen

Interment
St. Francis Catholic Cemetery
Humphrey, Nebraska