Deborah Lee Wedel

Deborah Lee Wedel was born December 29,1952, to DeWayne and Jean Rosin Wedel in Missoula, Montana. Debbie was the first born of five siblings. Four brothers followed, Michael, Douglas, Derwin, and Rodney. In 1965 the family moved to north Idaho into a home four miles north of Bonners Ferry. Later they moved to the Grandpa Vernon and Bertha Wedel farm at the end of County Road 39, or Fawn Lane as it is called today.

Most of her elementary school years were spent in Missoula followed by upper grades at Mt. Hall School in Boundary County, Idaho. Deborah gave her heart to the Lord and soon was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, on November 12,1967, by Minister Eddie Justus. All her life she claimed these Christians as her people and remained respectful to the Church, often listening to services over the phone…seeking for acceptance “…if haply (she) might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us.” Act 17:27 She kept her Bible nearby in her bedroom. We leave her in the hands of a just and loving God.

Debbie’s life’s work led her into many places of service. First, she was a Candy Striper at the local hospital before she got her CNA license. Time was also spent working at the Window Rock Home in Arizona among the Navaho children. She spent time in Moundridge, Kansas, and enjoyed a continued friendship with Kathy Isaac Penner. During these early years she enjoyed traveling back east by train with several of her closest friends. Throughout her life she loved talking with people and reconnecting with people she had known.

Her marriage to John Wittkopp of Missoula lasted over twenty-five years. John passed away in November of 2024. In her retirement years Debbie and her brother Derwin lived in Tonasket, Washington, close to her brother Rodney and wife Marsha Wedel and their children Mikayla and Wyndell Wedel. Before her health began to fail, she loved picking huckleberries in the mountains. Back at home she enjoyed quilting, tending her flowers, gardening, and canning. And she loved her dogs.

With failing health, Debbie was taken by air to the hospital in Wenatchee, Washington. Here, overcome with infection and other serious health conditions, she passed away on January 11, 2025.

Along with many friends, Debbie will be missed by her brothers, Michael and Douglas Wedel of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Rodney and Marsha Wedel, one son Wyndell Wedel, one brother Derwin Wedel all of Tonasket, Washington; one daughter Mikayla and Chad May, Montezuma, Kansas; two uncles Larry Larson, Missoula, Montana, and friend Judy of Missoula, Montana; and Uncle Ronnie and Nadine Rosin from Pennsylvania. Debbie was predeceased by her parents DeWayne and Jean Wedel, her grandparents, and many aunts and uncles.

Viewing will be held on January 14, 2025 at Bonners Ferry Funeral Home from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Funeral Services will be held at Mountain View Mennonite Church in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, on January 15, 2025 at 11:00 am. Ministers Ben Nystrom, Glenn Ensz, Shane Ensz, and Joel Troyer officiated. The burial will be in the adjoining church cemetery.