Mrs. Debra Lynn Oakley, age 62, of Audubon, IA, passed away on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines, IA, following a long, courageous battle with kidney disease.
Debra Lynn Hammerstrom was born June 26, 1962, in Canton, SD, the daughter of Luverne and Alyce Hammerstrom. She attended school in Canton, graduating with the Class of 1981. She studied fashion merchandising in Sioux Falls, SD. She later worked for Pizza Hut when it opened in Canton, where she met her future husband, Allen Oakley Jr. They were married in Sioux Falls on July 2, 1985, and lived in Canton for several years before moving to Iowa. They lived in Indianola and Winterset before moving to Audubon in 1990. Three children were born to this union – Regan Allen, Corey Lee and Morgan Lynn.
Deb worked at the Friendship Home in Audubon for 35 years, serving as a Certified Nursing Assistant, Medication Aide and most recently as a Restorative Aide.
She enjoyed attending concerts, reading (especially Danielle Steele), attending school activities, traveling with her longtime friend Peg, attending local activities with best friend Julie, and especially spending time with her kids and grandson.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen, in 2010, her father, Luverne, and in-laws, Allen Oakley Sr. and Janice Oakley.
She is survived by her children, Regan and Alyssa Oakley of Slater; Corey and Aleshia Oakley of Audubon and Morgan Oakley of Audubon; her grandson, Allen John (AJ) of Audubon; her mother, Alyce of Hull, IA; her brother, Alan Hammerstrom of Canton, SD; her sisters, Tricia and Bruce of Hull, IA, and Lynda and Charlie Johnson of Canton, SD; her brothers-in-law, Jon Oakley and Jeff Oakley, and family friend, Brad Johnson, all of Audubon, IA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The funeral service for Debra will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, IA, with Pastor Chris Townsend officiating. After the service, Debra will rest at Maple Grove Cemetery. Following the committal service, a luncheon will be held in the Fellowship Hall of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church.
Public visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Audubon.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Friendship Home of Audubon in memory of Debra or mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 201, Audubon, IA 50025.
Funeral arrangements are handled with the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Audubon, IA.
