Deborah Jo Cooley, the daughter of Dell and Judith Ann (Myers) Wallace, was born December 8, 1954, in Creston, IA. She died December 20, 2022, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, IA, at the age of 68 years, and 12 days.
Deborah started school in Griswold, moved to Kansas until the 5th grade, then returned to Griswold, graduating with the class of 1973. After graduating, she moved to Columbus, NE. After the death of her mother, she returned to Griswold, where she took an instrumental role in raising her siblings. Deborah began nursing school at IWCC and SWCC while also raising her own family. After graduating from nursing school in 1984, with her LPN and RN degrees, she worked in Atlantic and Griswold before taking a job with Alegent Health. She furthered her education from Bellevue University with a bachelor’s degree in Health Care Administration. Her favorite job was working as an orthopedic nurse at Bergan Mercy Hospital. She retired in 2019. Deborah lived in Atlantic with her fiancé Stan Shaw until the time of her death.
Deborah was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Griswold and had been a Girl Scout leader. She enjoyed cooking and baking and giving cookie and candy trays to family and friends. Deborah always was a great supporter of her children’s activities. If she could be remembered by just one thing, let it be that she loved her family with every bit of her heart and soul. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, and adored her dog, Tucker.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her fiancée Stan Shaw of Atlantic, IA; her children: Laura Church of Harlan, IA, Phillip Church of Griswold, IA, Katherine Garavalia and husband John of Griswold, IA, Megan Schroder of Griswold, IA, Allison Shaw of Griswold, IA, and Justin Shaw and wife Lindsey of Atlantic, IA; her grandchildren: Emma Jo, Ella Mae, Elana Lynn, Gavin, Cameron, Evelynne, Mackinzie (Gavin), Mackade, Mackendrick, Shawn (Hailey), Cale, Addison, Madison, and Cheyenne; her great grandson Wesson; her sister Marcia Proctor and husband Brad Proctor of Rogers, AR; her brothers: Larry Wallace and wife Judy of Missouri, TX, David Wallace and wife Christie of Griswold, IA, Brian Wallace and wife Mitzi of Griswold, IA, and Kevin Wallace and wife Deborah of Bartlett, IL; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 30, 2022, at 1:30 PM, at Faith Lutheran Church in Griswold. Inurnment will be at Noble Center Cemetery south of Lyman. Deborah’s family will hold a celebration of life at the Griswold Community Building on Friday, December 30, 2022, at 6:00 PM. Everyone is invited to come. Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting the family.
