Debra McIlhon Obituary

Debra Jean McIlhon passed away on Monday, April 10th at Kavanagh Hospice House following a sudden hemorrhagic stroke 13 days prior. Her daughter Molly and son-in-law Tony were by her side as she took her last breaths.

Debbie was the youngest child to Robert and Doris Blitsch, born in Cedar Falls Iowa on June 9th, 1953. She attended Valley Park Elementary and Peet Jr. high, graduating from Cedar Falls high school in 1971. She was a fun and popular gal and was nominated to the Home Coming Court her senior year. We think she definitely should have won!

After graduation, Debbie worked as a secretary for Curb Master and later the City of Cedar Falls. She was a fast typer and ultra-organized and knew how to keep those engineers in line! She was always proud of the work she did. She absolutely loved her time working for the city.

During her time at Curb Master, a charismatic Irish guy named Joe McIlhon started making sales calls and found a few extra reasons to stop in there to see his new favorite gal. The two started dating in the fall of 1977 and were married on December 16th, 1978. Their marriage and life together included a daughter Molly and a son Joseph, many fun deck and living room parties on Tilton and later some pretty epic dock and boat parties in Clear Lake. Joe may have been the outgoing sales guy and the joke teller, but Debbie was the real life of the party with her welcoming heart and stellar dance moves (if ya know, ya know!)

Debbie converted to Catholicism in 1980 while pregnant with Molly. Her faith became an integral part of who she was. She celebrated the love of God with her husband and together they passed that love of God and importance of faith onto their children. She truly tried to live a Christlike life.

Debbie was confident without being arrogant, had the strength of granite yet a soft heart still so full of love, and her faith could move mountains. She experienced the loss of her parents before graduating high school, her son in 2014 and her husband in 2017 yet she never once complained or blamed God. She had this matter-of-fact way about her to simply move forward, and accept the fate given to her, never questioning why. Debbie had a way of making you feel accepted, loved and special and she will be so very missed by those lucky enough to have been part of her circle.

Debbie is survived by her daughter Molly (Tony) Fiddelke, granddaughters Margaret Fiddelke and Sydney McIlhon, brother Bob (Linda) Blitsch, sister JoAnn (Rex) Rockey and many brother and sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends who are already feeling her absence.

She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Doris Blitsch, her sweet guardians John and Beulah Rockey, son Joseph, husband Joe, and nephew Andrew Ulrich.

In Lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to her family for granddaughters' education and activities.

A Funeral Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00am Friday, April 14th at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Beaverdale. Visitation 1 hour prior to service. Interment at Glendale immediately following.

To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Debra McIlhon, please visit our Tribute Store.