Verona/Fitchburg

Deborah L. Rickelman, age 61, of Verona passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on October 12, 2017 at Agrace HospiceCare, Fitchburg. She was born November 11, 1955 in Ft. Madison, Iowa, one of seven daughters of Alvin and Mabel M. (Wedel) Childers. She was united in marriage to Edwin B. Rickelman on November 27, 1976 in Fort Madison.

She loved spending time with family and friends, was an avid reader, cheered on the Wisconsin Men’s Basketball team and enjoyed a good Hallmark Channel movie. Debbie had a fulfilling career in health information management, culminating as Vice President of the Information Center at the Wisconsin Hospital Association.

Debbie is survived by her husband, Ed; son, Ben, Washington DC; daughter, Emma, Middleton WI; five sisters, Betty (Skip) Brooks, Gravois Mills, MO, Judy Roberts, Ft. Madison, IA, Mary (Jerry) Defrates, Bettendorf IA, Becky (Keith) Cook, Mineral Point, WI, and Bonnie (Greg) Scheele, Plymouth, WI; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Patty McCaurther; father-in-law Leonard Rickelman; and nephew, Mitch Stuekerjurergen.

The family extends their gratitude to the U.W. Carbone Cancer Center, U.W. Hospital Oncology and Palliative Care Unit (B6/6), and Agrace HospiceCare for their care and support.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at ST. MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5313 Flad Avenue with Father Robert Evenson celebrating and Msgr. Mike Burke concelebrating. Burial will follow at St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery, Verona. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, October 16 at Ryan Funeral Home, 220 Enterprise Drive and again on Tuesday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to U.W. Carbone Cancer Center or Agrace HospiceCare. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home

& Cremation Center

Verona Chapel

220 Enterprise Drive

608-845-6625

Deborah Rickelman

November 11, 1955 - October 12, 2017

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