Debbie Wiggins

Debra “Debbie” Kay Wiggins, 61, of Bridgeport, went to her Father, Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in heaven having had complications from pneumonia on Thursday, September 29, 2016 at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation. A Celebration Of Life Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at the First Baptist Church in Bridgeport with Pastor Raymond Cook officiating. Memorials may be directed to the church or donor’s choice. Bridgeport Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Tributes of sympathy may be left for the family at www.bridgeportmemorialchapel.com

Debbie was born November 3, 1954 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky to Harold and Evelyn (Schuler) Kraupie. After her father’s discharge from the Army, the family moved to Nebraska. Debbie attended school in Dalton. When the family moved to Bridgeport in 1965 she attended Northport School, graduating from Bridgeport High School with the Class of 1973.

Debbie took nurses training at West Nebraska General Hospital in Scottsbluff, receiving her RN diploma. She worked as a nurse in Coronary Care, Surgery, and Behavioral Health (specializing in drug and alcohol treatment).

Debbie married Glen Schmidt and the couple moved to Alaska where their first son, Joshua Kodiak, was born in 1978. They moved to Windsor, CO where a second son, Jerrod Hunter, was born in 1979.

Debbie was united in marriage to Lee Wiggins on October 26, 1985 in Scottsbluff. After 30 some years of working as a nurse, mostly in Scottsbluff, Debbie retired to help her husband full time with their business in Northport. Debbie and her mom were most instrumental in the establishment of The Neighborhood, the independent living facility in Bridgeport. She made and sold soaps and lotions as well as raised chickens and sold farm fresh eggs. Debbie had the love of animals instilled in her at a young age by her father: “Dad said the animals eat, then the people eat.” She loved her animals: dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, milk goats. She also raised honey bees and sold bee pollen; she loved sharing its wonderful health benefits.

Debbie’s greatest joy was being a Grandma. She attended Broadwater Lutheran Church, was a member of Bridgeport Community Church, and a member First Baptist Church in Bridgeport. She loved her brothers and sisters in Christ. She also took every opportunity to talk to people about the benefits of knowing Jesus and going to heaven. Debbie always had her ears and heart open to help anyone in need. The look in her eyes and her smile were a reflection of Christ.

Debbie is survived by her husband Lee of Bridgeport; mother Evelyn Kraupie of Bridgeport; son and daughter-in-law Josh and Stephanie (Lease) Schmidt of Bridgeport; son Jerrod Schmidt of Flagstaff, AZ; grandchildren Braylen, Eleanor, and Harper; brother and sister-in-law Darrell and Alecia Kraupie of Bridgeport and their children Kristen, Del Ray and fiancé Stacy Doll, and Hardan “Jake”; in laws Dianne (Chad) Budge of Jackson, WY, Steve (Sue) Wiggins of Bridgeport, Cleve (Linda) Wiggins of Broadwater, Donna (Dick) Peetz of Scottsbluff, and Jerry (Jolene) Wiggins of Gothenburg, NE and their families.

Debbie was preceded in death by her father Harold Kraupie and her father-in-law and mother-in-law Allen and Gladys Wiggins.