Deborah Dunavan

Deborah J. "Debbie" Dunavan, 61 of Fort Dodge, died Sunday April 9th, 2023 at the Paula Baber Hospice House in Fort Dodge, IA. Debbie was born January 1st, 1962 in Chicago, IL. She spent her life living in various places throughout Illinois and Tennessee, before settling in Iowa in 1995. She lived in Gowrie, Callendar, and Fort Dodge during her time in the area. Her main role in life was being a mother and it was important to her to provide the best life she could for her children. Family was always important to Debbie and she tried to spend as much time as possible with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed playing cards, watching soap operas and reality television, going to flea markets and shopping as much as she was able to. At age 37, Debbie was diagnosed with heart failure due to viral cardiomyopathy. Against all odds and despite being told she only had a couple years to live, she spent the next 23 years fighting her illness. She decided to go into hospice care in January, and was able to spend her final days surrounded by the love of her family. She is preceded in death by her parents Mary and Robert Dunavan, brothers Robert "Boobie" Dunavan and Richard Dunavan, sister Pamela Shaw, and grandson Joseph "Jo Jo" Wells. She is survived by her children: Ruben Dunavan of Joliet, IL, Stephen Wells and significant other Jolie Lowary of Urbandale, IA, Valerie McSherry of Fort Dodge, IA, and Robert Dunavan and wife Jenica of Ankeny, IA; granddaughter Blair Dunavan; brothers Archie Dunavan and wife Louise of Heber Springs, AR and Dallas Dunavan of Joliet, IL; and sister Theresa Crowder of Fordyce, AR. A visitation will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023 beginning at 2:00 p.m. with a memorial service to follow at 4:30 p.m. at Laufersweiler Funeral Home. Visitation Sat, May 6, 2023 at 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 Memorial Sat, May 6, 2023 at 4:30 pm Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501