Debra Kay Bleckinger was born on March 3rd, 1955, in Hutchinson, Minnesota. She was the only daughter of Wendell and Dorothy (Schaefer) Klitzke. Debra was baptized as an infant at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hector, and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth at Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. She attended Hutchinson High School and graduated in 1973, and went on to attend the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where she earned an associates' degree in 1975.
On May 19th, 1979, Debra was united in marriage to Michael Bleckinger at Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Megan, Sara, and Eric. Debra and Mike resided in Hutchinson until 1981, and then moved to Cottage Grove, Minnesota. They shared 39 years of marriage.
Debra worked in the dental office of Drs. White and Flynn in Hutchinson from 1975-1981. From the time her first child was born, she was a devoted homemaker and mother. She enjoyed being in nature (favorite spots include the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park), shopping, cooking and baking, decorating for the holidays, and was an avid Minnesota sports fan (especially Golden Gopher Basketball).
Debra passed suddenly on July 5th, 2018. She was preceded in death by parents Wendell and Dorothy Klitzke, and sister-in-law Kathy Klitzke. She is survived by husband Michael, daughters Megan Bruce (Andy, step grandson Hayden) and Sara, son Eric, and her brothers David, Steven, and Richard.
Our beloved mother and wife will be deeply missed. Blessed be her memory.
