Debra Sue Pahnke

Debra “Debbie” Sue Pahnke, 58, of Gladstone, MI passed away Tuesday morning, August 9, 2022, peacefully in her home, in the loving, comforting care of her family and OSF Hospice. 

Debbie was born October 12, 1963, in Milwaukee, WI, a daughter of Malcolm and Suzanne Wayne, and graduated from Burlington High School, Class of 1981. Following graduation, Debbie attended University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management. She married Brian Pahnke on November 10, 1984, in Lake Geneva, WI. After completing college, Debbie accepted a position with Weyerhaeuser Company in Marshfield, WI as a Sales Rep (one of the only women). After several years, and a daughter later, Brian accepted a position with Connor’s Forest Industries in Bessemer, MI and the family decided to purchase their first fixer-upper and turn it into a Bed and Breakfast. This move started the family's roots in the Upper Peninsula and eventually they had a second daughter and made the move to Gladstone, MI where Debbie and Brian started a Financial Advising team together. Deb was tenacious and a force to be reckoned with in life, when she walked into a room, she radiated confidence and grace. She devoted her life to growing not only as a mother and wife but professionally. She found pride in helping out in our community and was active in the Women's Club, and as a former Finnish exchange student herself, the Rotary Club. 

Debbie had a positive impact on all that she met and her joyful personality was contagious to anyone around. Deb enjoyed spending time on their boat, at the ski hill, or cheering on the beloved Packers and Spartans. Deb was passionate about traveling and spent much of her time planning out her next trip with Brian and the girls. From a young age she saw the value in experiencing new places, cultures, and languages which she spoke several of. Those who were fortunate enough to have known Debbie saw the kind of love and connection Brian and her had, one in which few people experience in their lifetime. 

She is survived by her husband, Brian Pahnke; daughters, Alexandra (Wyatt) Eisenberger, and Taylor Pahnke (Ryan Black); her brother, Guy (Dawn) Wayne; and sisters, Donna (Steve) Lacroix, and Sandra Wayne.

Deb was preceded in death by her father, Malcom Wayne; her father and mother-in-law, Kenneth and Glennis Pahnke; and brother-in-law, Terry Larson.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the caregivers Dottie, Vicki, Melissa, Barbie, Maureen and OSF Hospice for their compassionate and professional care, and for the many kindnesses they extended to the family. Your attention and dedication certainly added to the quality of Deb’s life, for which we are all extremely grateful. 

Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday, August 15, 2022 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 2401 N Lincoln Rd., Escanaba, MI. Funeral services celebrating the life of Debbie will follow at 3:00 p.m., Monday, with Rev. Ben Ramthun officiating. A meal will be served at the conclusion of the services in the church fellowship hall.

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