Debra "Deb" Toepke

Debra "Deb" Toepke, age 64, passed away on Thursday, December 12, 2019 at her home in Glendive. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, December 20, 2019 at Zion Lutheran Church with Pastor Brenda Frelsi officiating. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements. Deb was born on January 1, 1955 in Glendive, the daughter of Ralph and Evelyn (Heitz) Schaffel. She was raised and educated in Glendive, graduating from Dawson County High School with the class of 1973. After her high school graduation she started work at HKT Big Sky Motors, where she was still employed at the time of her death. She did many jobs at HKT, mostly with book work, taxes, and year end business. She also furthered her education by taking night classes at Dawson Community College where she received her Associate of Arts Degree in 1991. She was later united in marriage to Wes Toepke on July 31, 1994 at Happy Hollow near Glendive. Above all though, Deb was a caregiver. She was always there with a helping hand for those in need and she genuinely enjoyed just helping people. Deb was a true believer in Glendive, and had served on numerous committees and boards including: Grandview Board of Directors, Glendive Rotary Club (of which she was a past president), Glendive Community Cancer Fund, Greater Glendive Community Foundation, Dawson County Urban Tranportation Board, Glendive Medical Center Hospice Volunteer, Women Who Wine, Beta Sigma Phi, and she was also instrumental in spearheading the Glendive Splash Park. In the words of Deb's dear friend Peggy Iba: "We lost a friend, compassionate helper, community champion and philanthropist when Deb Toepke died. She was an out of the limelight gal. She trimmed trees in parks and boulevards and burned the evidence in her backyard firepit. She put up funds to encourage groups to clean up Glendive during earth week. She spearheaded the splash park. From the first meeting at the library to gauge interest, it was less than a year before it was done, jumpstarted with husband Wes's memorial money. It was awesome to see young moms champion the cause. She liked making things better, like the underpass or making things more efficient, especially if it involved Dewalt tools. She could have had her own HGTV home improvement show, repurposing castaways into playhouses and yard art. After taking care of Wes through diabetes and dialysis, she learned the medical ropes and took compassionate responsibility for helping people during their last months. She and Wes set up a donor designated fund through the fledging Glendive community foundation to help baseball and softball annually, but also to show support for community foundations. The Toepke philanthropy is legendary. But mostly I will miss the person, a partner in crime." She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Evelyn; and her husband Wes. Deb is survived by her son, Eric Knudson of Glendive; one brother, Jim (Louise) Schaffel of Billings, Montana; two nieces, Lisa (Ben) Ballew of Billings and their children Cooper and Colby, and Stephanie Schaffel of Seattle, Washington; three grandchildren, Mikal, Kendel, and Kennedi Wilkerson; and all of Wes' family and extended family. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Deb's name are suggested to any cause that benefits Glendive. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

Debra "Deb" Toepke

January 1, 1955 - December 12, 2019

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Debra "Deb" Toepke

January 1, 1955 - December 12, 2019

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support