Deborah Jean Tubergen

Deb Tubergen passed away peacefully on Monday evening, December 15, 2025, following complications from an emergency hernia surgery several weeks earlier. She leaves behind her devoted husband, Dane Tubergen; her children Brett (Belinda) and Stephanie (John); her step-children Melanie (Blair) and Matt (Becky); and her nine beloved grandchildren—Brandon, Lilly, Maddie, Reagan, Harry, Bennie, Judah, Jasper, and Celeste. She is also survived by her faithful dog Abby, an abundance of grand-dogs, and many extended family members and friends who loved her deeply.

To all who knew her, Deb was a steady source of kindness and warmth. She was a devoted wife, mother, step-mother, aunt, grandmother, friend, and community member. She loved people wholeheartedly. She was active in the St. Joseph United Methodist Church in Fort Wayne, especially in the annual cookie walk. As a Stephen Minister with both the Angola Congregational Church and Naples United Church of Christ, she sat beside those in need with a gentle presence and a gift for listening without judgment.

Deb was also a natural in her professional life. She began her career in the 1980s as a young mother working in sales for Mary Kay Cosmetics and Home Interiors, later moving into advertising sales. Her ability to make anyone, from CEOs to first-time entrepreneurs, feel at ease was a true gift.

Deb was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013, a challenge she met with the same equanimity, steadiness, and grace that defined her. She found strength in Rock Steady Boxing and the community-shared fight.

In 2016, she and Dane retired full-time to Florida and happily became round-the-year members of the Pelican Sound community. The ringtone song on her phone captured her post-retirement spirit perfectly: “Knee deep in the water somewhere, got the blue sky breeze blowing wind through my hair. Only worry in the world - is the tide gonna reach my chair.” From traveling to Hawaii, boating with the Carusos, sitting by the pool, or going on cruises with Dane and friends, many of her happiest moments were spent by the water.

In July of this year (2025), Deb and Dane returned to Indiana to be closer to family. At Meadowood Retirement Community in Bloomington, they enjoyed group exercise, shared meals, and a supportive community. They also attended the Unitarian Universalist (UU) Congregation of Bloomington with Stephanie, who feels profoundly grateful for the gift of these last months together. Through a UU Chalice Circle, Deb again offered her attentive listening, honed through years of Stephen Ministry and a lifetime of empathy.

Her faith in Jesus Christ sustained her, grounded her, and filled her with love that all of us could count on. One of Deb’s favorite songs reminds us of the way she loved us all:

May the good Lord be with you down every road you roam

And may sunshine and happiness surround you when you're far from home

And may you grow to be proud, dignified and true

And do unto others as you'd have done to you

Be courageous and be brave

And in my heart you'll always stay

forever young.

Her legacy is one of unconditional kindness, loving without judgment, offering patience and grace to others, and extending the same to herself. She will live on in all of us who knew her and loved her.

A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of (2110 N. Fee Ln.) Bloomington, IN on Saturday, January 10th at 1pm. A livestream can be accessed at: https://www.uubloomington.org/worship/live-stream/

You may make a memorial to the Parkinson's Foundation (https://www.parkinson.org/) in her memory.

Online condolences may be shared at www.DayDeremiahFrye.com