Services for Debra (Debbie) Lynn Navratil
Debra (Debbie) Lynn Navratil, 55, of Clearbrook, MN, passed away on Monday, May 27, 2019 at the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center, surrounded by many friends and family, after a short, but intense battle with cancer.
All who knew and loved Debbie are welcome to attend a Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 8, at 1:00 p.m. at Sinclair Township Cemetery near Leonard, MN. There will be a luncheon and time for fellowship following the service at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Leonard, MN. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bagley, MN assisted the family with arrangements.
Debbie was born August 29, 1963 in Bagley, MN to Kermit and Wanda (Mickelson) Johnson. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Leonard, MN. She graduated in 1981 from Clearbrook High School. Debbie married her High School sweetheart, Jeffrey Navratil on September 21, 1982 in Leonard, MN. They were blessed with two sons, Nathaniel and Thad and made their home in Clearbrook, MN.
Growing up on a small dairy farm, Debbie loved helping with the family chores and caring for all the farm animals. Her warm and nurturing heart lead her to the Clearbrook Good Samaritan Center for almost 30 years. She began as a CNA, then became a Social Service Designee and before she retired from GSC, she worked in the Health Information Department. She always went above and beyond caring for each resident to ensure they felt special. She made many long -lasting friendships along the way. After leaving Good Sam, she worked various jobs including the Laundromat, Piper’s Inn, and the Sanford Clinic in Clearbrook. She also worked at Olson’s Lefse Plant in Gonvick. She often dog sat for many friends and neighbors. Most recently she was employed through Lutheran Social Services/Clearbrook Senior Center. Debbie was a very caring and giving person helping anyone in need. She was also very creative and had a special talent for inventing ways to make life easier.
Debbie enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, cooking, baking, making Grandma Emma’s lefse, and trying new recipes. She loved following her favorite TV shows, reading, listening to music, gardening, camping, and helping her sister Peggy with her miniature horses and spoiling her pets and any other animal that crossed her kind path.
She is survived by her loving husband, Jeffrey; her sons, Nathaniel (Joy) Navratil and Thad (Samantha) Navratil, both of Fargo, ND; her mother, Wanda (Dwayne) Matz of Leonard; her father and mother-in-law, Dennis and Sally Navratil; her siblings, Peggy (Glen) Arlaud of Gonvick, Jon (Lesly) Engberg of Gonvick, Glenda (Brian) Lykins of Shevlin; brother-in-law, Danny (Patti) Navratil; sister-in-law, Denise Navratil; five nephews and two nieces; numerous cousins; her special Aunt and Uncle Betty and Duane Johnson and Aunt Ardys Bjerke.
She was preceded in death by her father, Kermit Johnson; her step-father, Glen Engberg; and her grandparents, Odin and Emma Johnson and Elmer and Ruth Mickelson.
She will be missed by many.
Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com
