Obituary of Debra Jean Haines

Debbie Haines was born on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1958 to Pat and Joe Haines in Arcadia, Wisconsin and a little light came on in the world. The tiny light spread and spread, triggering little lights in all of us who knew and loved her. Debbie was baptized at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Arcadia. Her childhood memories include trips to Adams-Friendship to visit grandparents, the station wagon packed with six kids heading for Friday fish fry, sledding adventures and skiing. And the sister trip to Washington and Oregon as young adults will always live in infamy. The shared memories of that journey trigger the distinctive Haines female hilarity as the sisters recall crazy camping experiences in the mountains and bathing in ice cold glacial streams. In later years, the annual fall crafting trip with mom Pat and the sisters was always a weekend of laughter and old stories, and long forgotten secrets…some of those anecdotes a bit of a surprise for mom! Growing up, Debbie was the cornerstone of the family. She was the sounding board and the advisor; she was the person all the siblings went to with their problems, hopes and dreams. When their dad, Joe, got sick in 2011, Deb was the one who could reason with him about his health options and it was Deb who counseled their mom on decisions about Joe's care. Debbie graduated in 1976 from Arcadia High school, attended UW Eau Claire and eventually graduated from UW Whitewater with a degree in human resources. Impish, playful, funny and loyal, she made friends and collected hearts wherever she was. A knee injury brought Debbie to UW Health Sports Medicine Clinic where she met physical therapist Steve Nass. She married Steve on December 26, 1988 and another light began to burn…not only in her new husband, but also in her additional family of in-laws. She was a core member of a "Big Chill" group of women who made annual excursions together to wallow in the joy of truly solid friendships. Debbie's outrageous humor and accepting, quiet companionship spread more lights among those friends. Debbie was a consummate professional working as a human resource specialist with companies Beatrice, Generac, Dean Health and QTI where she forged friendships and garnered respect from colleagues and clients alike. More little lights were added to the world. Travel was a passion from her youthful extended excursion to Europe with her good friend Jody Pulda to all the subsequent trips around the United States and Europe with family and friends. One regret is missing the opportunity to take the long planned trip to Ireland with sisters Sue and Diane and mom Pat. But for those of us who love her, every trip for now on, a little bit of Debbie's light will journey with us. We will sit and toast our silent traveling companion. We will tell stories and we will laugh and we will cry. But in the end, her light will always be there with us. In 1990, Debbie and Steve welcomed their son Clay into the world and a fresh light glowed. Debbie eventually became "mom" to all of Clay's friends earning the mysterious title "MJ". And when Debbie's light began to waver, all those little lights, all grown into young adults, came to say goodbye to their MJ. Debbie was the "Aunt Like Mom Only Cooler" to all her nieces and nephews. She was the crazy, fun aunt who was also the confidant, the loving keeper of their secrets, their gentle guide as they navigated life. Debbie's creative energy was expressed in designing beautiful, artful greeting and note cards, pieced together with buttons, beads, cut-outs, stamps and an expressive eye. She loved music, playing the flute, piccolo and baritone sax in her youth. Debbie was an anchoring member of the Trinity Lutheran Church bell choir in Lake Mills where she also volunteered her time and talents in other church activities spreading more little lights. She loved the outdoors; kayaking, walking, biking, hiking, cross country skiing and golfing. Debbie was an avid Packer fan enjoying going to football games at Lambeau Field and all the crazy fun of tailgating. She also loved to play cards and board games surrounded by family and friends. All of us, all her lights, knew Debbie's mischievous, quirky humor and her unquenchable laughter. We all knew the Debbie who spread joy wherever she went. When Debbie was diagnosed with brain cancer we also discovered her grit, her deep-seated faith and her unwavering optimism. She was an example to us all on how to keep our own lights aglow no matter what God puts in our path. As Debbie's light began to flicker, it became a beacon, bringing a constant stream of friends from all aspects of Debbie's life on a pilgrimage to her side to say goodbye… siblings, high school and college friends, colleagues, her church family and other friends…a softly glowing tribute to Debbie's shining brightness. The toughest goodbyes of all were to her son Clay who has grown into the kind of young man any mom would be proud of….smart, loving, responsible, curious and compassionate with a strong sense of family, Clay is a credit to both his parents. And her farewell to her husband Steve, caretaker to the end and Debbie's rock. Debbie's light may have gone out on April 19, 2016 but all the little lights she lit in every one of us will burn every time we feel her love in our hearts…every time. Forever. Debbie is survived by her husband of 28 years, Steve Nass of Lake Mills, WI; her son Clayton Nass of Madison, WI; her parents Pat and Joe Haines of Arcadia, WI; her sisters Diane Kamish of Waconia, MN, Sue Wozney and her husband Steve of Independence, WI and her brothers Mike Haines and wife Melissa of Holmen, WI, Chuck Haines and wife Cindy of Arcadia and Joe Haines and wife Leanne of Arcadia. Also, her father-in-law Don Nass of Jefferson, WI, sister-in-law Sue Nass and husband Steve Knick of Boise, Idaho and brother-in-law Larry Nass of Chandler, AZ and 14 nieces and nephews, and several aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her "brother-in-law" Peter Schäfer, a 1971-1972 Jefferson High School AFS exchange student from Germany who spent a lifetime as our friend and brother. Debbie's family would like to thank the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center for their care and support. Debbie continues to give back, donating her brain for research to help future victims of brain cancer. Donations in the memory of Debbie Haines can be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church, 346 W. Pine St., Lake Mills, WI or online at http://www.trinitylm.com ; the Jefferson County Humane Society, W6127 Kiesling Road, Jefferson WI 53549 or online http://hsjc-wis.com; or the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Neuro Oncology Fund, att. Ian Robins, MD, 600 Highland Ave. J3/2, Madison, WI 53792-6164, 608-265-1700; Arcadia High School Music Department/Band, 756 Raider Drive, Arcadia, WI 54612 or online http://www.arcadia.k12.wi.us 608-323-3334. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday April 26, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 346 W. Pine St., Lake Mills, WI. Visitation will be at the church on Monday April 25, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. and then again on Tuesday morning at the church from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Schneider-Michaelis Funeral Home, Jefferson is assisting the family with arrangements, 920-674-3960, 900 W. Racine, Jefferson, WI. Visit www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence or light a candle in her memory. The Lord is my shepherd.