Debra A. Niemela

Debra Ann Niemela, age 71, of Rock passed away Saturday, December 6, 2025, at U.P. Health Systems- Marquette. She was born March 5, 1954, in Escanaba, MI and was the daughter of Jerry and Viola (King) Couillard. Debbie married Fred Sinwelski in 1973 in Chicago, IL and he preceded her in death in 2016 She moved from Chicago to Osier in 1989. Debbie married Jim Niemela on October 8, 1994, at First Lutheran Church in Rock and he preceded her in death on March 14, 2014. Debbie enjoyed the last ten years with Bruce Bartlett. She tended bar at the Corner Bar and later at Herb’s Bar in Rock. Debbie did volunteer work with the DAV and enjoyed crafts and spending time with her grandkids. Her grandkids were her world!  

Debbie is survived by son Gary (Karen) Couillard of Ormond Beach, FL; daughters Lisa Sinwelski (David Dausey) of Hermansville, MI and Christine Sinwelski (Joe Mendez) of Homewood, IL; grandchildren Dylan (Tiffany), Kenneth, Debbie and Abby Couillard, Brayden Sinwelski, Acey Smentek and Adrian Mendez; great grandchildren Marquise, Bella and Tate; brothers Rod Couillard of Perronville, MI, Jerome Couillard of Gladstone, MI, and Randy Couillard of Ohio; sisters Linda Reed of Hermansville, MI and Connie Couillard of Hannahville, MI and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husbands she was preceded in death by daughter Theresa Sinwelski, grandson Michael Couillard and Dave Couillard, sister Cindy Couillard and brother Kenneth Couillard.

Burial, for Debra Ann Niemela, will take place in the Rock Cemetery in the spring of the year.

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