Debra Sue Austin

Debra Sue Austins earthly body released her spirit to be with Jesus on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017.

She celebrated Jesus birthday with him this year. She joins her much loved and missed father.

Debra was born Feb. 20, 1960, in Lubbock, Texas, hence her nickname, Yellow Rose. She was born into a military family and, due to military assignments, she lived in several different places: Texas, California, Illinois, Louisiana, Colorado and Hawaii. When her father retired, the family settled in the Kearney and Ravenna area.

In 1978, she received her high school diploma and went to Arizona for vacation, where she met her future husband.

She was united in marriage to Patrick Carroll on Dec. 26, 1979. This, too, was into a military life, and again, she lived in several different places: Washington state, California and Hawaii. To this union two daughters were born.

She was active as a military wife, serving in a single-parent role many times while her husband was on ship/Westpac or working on base. She was proud of her role as Ombudsman coordinator, serving and assisting the other military wives. Debra moved back to Nebraska to be near family after this marriage dissolved in the early 1990s.

Debra was known for her love of Jesus, her loving and kind ways and her servant spirit. She had an amazing sense of humor and always tried to stay on the sunny side of things. She was an avid lover of animals, especially horses. She cherished most her grandchildren, daughters and family. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Those left to cherish her memory include her mother, Bev Wood of Grand Island; daughters, Shannon Wabashaw of Joplin, Mo., and grandsons, Cyler and Rodney Jr., and Kathleen Majerus of Holdrege and granddaughters, Emily and Shelby Brott; a sister, Cindy Bennett of Grand Island; nephews, Brad and Jon; and a brother, Dan Austin of Omaha.

No services will be held until a later date. Cremation has taken place through Apfel Funeral Home.

Memorials are suggested to the family.

Psalms 17:8