Deborah "Debbie" Lee Bjaastad

Deborah “Debbie/Deb” Lee Bjaastad (Fields), 73, passed away peacefully at her home in Kansas City, MO, on February 4, 2025, after courageously battling Metastatic Small Cell Lung Cancer. Her strength and grace throughout her illness were a testament to her indomitable spirit.

Deborah was born on August 27, 1951, in Denver, Colorado, to Lois and Joseph Fields. Throughout her life, she cultivated a rich and varied career, leaving a lasting impact in each role she embraced. Her professional journey included serving as a secretary in both the Medical and Executive fields, where her organizational skills and dedication shone brightly. After choosing to leave the workforce to homeschool her three youngest children, Deborah poured her heart into nurturing their education and development, while also extending her influence and support to others in the immediate and extended family. Once her children had grown, she rekindled her passion for learning by enrolling in classes to become a certified Master Gardener, a pursuit that allowed her to share her love of nature and enhance the beauty in her surroundings.

Deborah loved being a mother and grandmother. She cherished every moment spent with her family, creating lasting memories through laughter, stories, and shared experiences. Her warmth and genuine care made family gatherings special and brought everyone closer together. She relished the opportunity to apply her gardening knowledge and passion, dedicating countless hours to her own gardens and volunteering at the Johnson-Atkins Farm in Gladstone, MO. Always eager to learn, she delighted in experimenting with new plants and flowers, continually expanding her gardening expertise.

Deborah is survived by her husband of 37 years, Jeffrey Bjaastad; her children, Stuart Beck (Wendy), Tonya Kanatzar (Steve), Lacey Mathis, Erika Bjaastad, and Kari Bjaastad; her siblings and stepsiblings, Joseph Fields, Kris Fields, Jaleesa Fuentes, Stafford Summers, David Summers, Michael Summers, and Alan Summers; and 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Lois Summers; her stepfather, Stafford Summers; her father, Joseph Fields; her sister, Melissa Fields; and two great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for February 26, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Newcomers White Chapel, 6600 NE Antioch Rd., Gladstone, MO 64119, with a Celebration of Life to follow. The family request that you dress in your favorite chiefs gear. Please no other teams.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Kansas City Hospice, as well as the outpatient and inpatient teams at North Kansas City Hospital, and the dedicated staff at the University of Kansas Cancer Center on Green Hills Road for their compassionate care and support during this difficult time.