Debra Rita Manthei, 69, of Burlington, was taken to her heavenly home on Saturday, May 28, 2022, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Debi was born to Daniel and Rita (Vos) Johann on Oct. 3, 1952, in Shreveport, Louisiana. She attended Burlington High School and graduated from St. Clara’s Academy in Sinsinawa Mound in 1970.
Throughout her life, Debi worked a variety of interesting jobs including some modeling in her early career, security manager at Whitman Field Regional Airport in Oshkosh, and as a teacher’s aide at St. Charles Borromeo School in Burlington. Her most important job was always wife, mother and loving daughter.
Debi married her first husband, Robert Ingiald in October 1971 and had three children. Later in life, she married her current husband Ronald Manthei and had two children. Debi was blessed to have been adored by two wonderful men during her life and, although not always typical in divorced families, through love and respect our unconventional, blended family has always put the “fun” in functional. Debi loved the saying, “Family – forever, for always, and no matter what” and she believed that in her heart.
Debi is preceded in death by her father, Daniel Johann; brother, Daniel Johann II.; grandparents, Clem and Orpha Vos, and Thomas and Sarah Frey; and a number of loved aunts and uncles.
Debi is survived by her devoted and loving husband, Ronald Manthei of Burlington; five children, Stacey (Jason) Peerenboom of Oshkosh, Daniel (Jennifer) Ingiald of New Lisbon, Melanie (Aaron) VandenBoogaard of Oshkosh, Gordon (Amy) Manthei of Waterford and Maxwell (Kathy) Manthei of Burlington; parents John and Rita Degen of Burlington; siblings, Roberta (Ed) Kellerman of Oshkosh, Marlee (Tony) Magdic of Burlington, and John (Shandrea) Degen of Escondido, California; and eight awesome grandchildren, Dylan Peerenboom, Madison Peerenboom, Hannah Ingiald, Avery VandenBoogaard, Bo Ingiald, Brady VandenBoogaard, Axel Manthei and Atticus Manthei. She will also be missed by many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Debi had a passion for reading, collecting teapots and salt/pepper shakers, completing both jigsaw and crossword puzzles, watching good movies, enjoying good food and cocktails with friends, and vacationing at the lake or beach. She found peace in or near the water and often said she might be part mermaid.
Debi will be laid to rest at St. Charles Borromeo Cemetery, Burlington, in a private ceremony.
A Celebration of Life Open House will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 2 p.m. at the home of Deb and Ron’s dear friends, Tricia Thomas and Keith Sawatske, located at 4315 Lake Street, Burlington, with a memorial prayer and reading to be held at 2:30 p.m.
Our family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Hadir and the nurses at the Burlington Cancer Clinic, as well as Molly at Racine Hospice. Your kindness and care made a huge difference.
Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home is serving the family. Well-wishers may visit www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.
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