Obituary: Debra "Debbie" Clements

Funeral Services

Funeral services will take place on Monday, September 11, 2017 at 2:00 PM (Mountain).

American Legion Hall
Philip, South Dakota

Visitation

A visitation will be held from 5 -7 p.m. with a prayer service at 6 p.m. on Sunday, September 10 at the American Legion Hall in Philip.

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In memory of

Debra "Debbie" Clements

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Thursday, September 7, 2017 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital at the age of 58

Debra Kay "Debbie" Newman was born on March 19, 1959 in Quinn, South Dakota, to Dwayne "Sonny" and Donna (Buhmann) Newman. Debbie was the oldest of four girls born to Sonny and Donna, followed by Dianne and twins, Janelle and Jeanine.

Debbie attended school and graduated from Philip High School in 1977. She then enrolled in business college in Rockford, Illinois, but decided her home was back in Philip. On October 14, 1978, she married Ernest "Mike" Clements at Our Redeemer Lutheran in Philip.

She started her career at the Philip Hospital while still in high school in 1976 during a bad storm and assisted in the kitchen until November 1979. Her first son, Luke Michael, was born in December 1979. Debbie then ran an in-home daycare for the next several years. During that time, the couple's second son, Kenneth Dwayne, was born in March of 1981. Debbie returned to work at the hospital in June of 1986 until December 2011, where she worked in laundry and then as a certified nursing assistant. Her third son, Caleb Paul, was born in August of 1991. Debbie began working for the United States Postal Service in 2008 until the time of her passing.

With a full-time career and a house full of rambunctious boys (including Mike), Debbie always found time for her cross-stitching. That hobby worked well until Caleb wouldn't stay out of her thread, which lead to many solved Sudoku puzzle books. She had a great love for Siamese cats, always having at least one until her health no longer allowed her to. She was always very involved in her church teaching release time and youth group for many years. Debbie took great pride in watching her boys grow up, playing high school sports and cheering Kenny and Luke on in dirt track racing in Rapid City. Her favorite memories were watching all of her boys participate in demolition derbies in the area. She had as much passion for it as they did. She always sacrificed anything to give her kids the world and was very proud of them. Debbie’s heart was most happy in recent years watching her grandkids learn and grow. She was anxiously awaiting the arrival of her next grandbaby at the time of her passing.

She never let a stranger be a stranger for long and was always making new friends wherever she went. She will always be remembered for her loving spirit, heart of gold, and contagious smile.

Debbie is survived by her husband of 38 years, Mike Clements; three sons: Luke (Trisha Gortmaker) of Bison, SD, grandkids, Alyx and Zane; Kenny (Erica) of Madison, SD, grandkids, Elliot and Rylan; and Caleb (Caitlyn) of Wagner, SD and grandbaby; her loving mother, Donna; her sisters: Dianne (Glenn) Parsons of Philip, SD and their three kids; Jeanine (Darian) Gray of Savage, MN and their two kids;and Janelle (Bruce) Brown of Aberdeen, SD and their four kids; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Debbie was preceded in death by her father, Dwayne "Sonny" Newman; nephew, Kirk Parsons; and father-in-law, Raymond Clements.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, September 10, at the American Legion Hall in Philip, with a prayer service at 6:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, September 11, at the American Legion Hall in Philip, with Pastor Ray Greenseth officiating.

Interment will be at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Philip Ambulance Service, Philip Volunteer Fire Department, or the Cancer Care Fund through the Philip Hospital Auxiliary.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 423, Philip, SD 57567.

VISITATION
5-7 with a prayer service at 6 p.m.
Sunday, September 10, 2017
American Legion Hall
Philip, South Dakota

FUNERAL SERVICES
Monday, September 11, 2017 - 2:00 p.m.
American Legion Hall
Philip, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Ray Greenseth
MUSIC
Marilyn Millage - Pianist
“How Great Thou Art”
“Amazing Grace”
“A Mighty Fortress”
USHERS
Alvin Pearson - Bill Manke
PALLBEARERS
Luke Clements - Kenny Clements
Caleb Clements - Andy Fitzgerald
Warren Sweezy - Anthony Arampatzis
Mike Schultz - Dak Carley
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

Sign the guestbook

So very sad to here of Debbie passing she was a really good friend of mine and helped me through some tough times and loved her for just being there for me. She would of done any thing for any body to help good by my friend until we meet again love you in my heart forever ~ Patty Hauk Hot Springs (9/17/2017)
My heart goes out Debbie's family. It is so hard to loose the ones we love. Debbie is in heaven with her dad. The angels are rejoicing. Debbie was such a kind person. I will be forever grateful for her kindness to my dad when he was in the nursing home. She was so patient no matter how cranky he could be at times.
Hugs and Prayer Debbie will be forever missed.
God be with you in this difficult time
Theresa ~ Theresa Pekron Arvada, CO (9/11/2017)
She had a great smile and always so pleasant to visit with,sorry for your loss, time heals the heart. God Bless ~ Pennie Slovek 20901 Slovek Rd (9/11/2017)
We are so sorry for your loss. Remember the good times. ~ Jim and Vonnie O'Dea Howes, SD (9/11/2017)
R.I.P. Debbie our thoughts and prayers to your mom,sisters, and your family she was a lovely person we were great full to have known her ~ Jerry and Kim Morgan Wall, S.D. (9/11/2017)
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. May you good memories bring you comfort. ~ Debbie Schofield Gillette, Wyoming (9/11/2017)
I met Debbie when I was 25 and moved to Philip. We have been friends since. My condolences to Mike and Family. I loved Debbie always will. She is a great friend. I was truly blessed. My thoughts and prayers are for all of you this day. ~ Mary Monarch Grand Haven Michigan (9/10/2017)
Family my heart goes out to you loosing such a wonder wife mother grandmother daughter sister. She was such a great friend. We were friends for life. She was always there for me and I hope I was for her at her times. I am so going to miss her smile and laugh. Hugs to you all. I'm so so sorry I can't be there. ~ Elizabeth knittel rockford illinois (9/10/2017)
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for you Mike and all your family. Debbie was a special person. ~ kathy Gottsleben Rapid City, South Dakota (9/10/2017)
Dear Family, my love and prayers to you all. Debbie's smile lit up whatever space she was in. She was a dear, lovely person and will be missed by all. ~ Kay Foland Rapid City, SD (9/10/2017)
So sorry, our thoughts and prayers sent your way ~ terri &gary newman newcastle wy (9/10/2017)
We are so sorry for your loss! ~ Eric anderson Rapid city, sd (9/10/2017)
Donna and families I was so sorry to read that Debbie had passed away. She was so sweet and know you all have many happy memories of her to comfort you in the days ahead, Heaven is rejoicing Know you have my thoughts and prayers. Connie ~ Connie Lee Midland, TX (9/10/2017)
Mike, Luke, Kenny, Caleb and families
As I sit here thinking about dear Debbie and how to condense what I want to write, a smile creeps on my face and a tear slides down my cheek.
Debbie was such a gracious and loving lady! From the time we first moved to Philip, she extended her love to us and it never stopped. She always took time to stop and visit and ask how everything was going. Her smile and the sparkle in those eyes will be missed. I was blessed to be able to see her quite a bit the last few days before she passed and we had a great time. She was more worried about others around her that were struggling and wanted to make sure they were doing ok, never worried about herself. She inspires me to be a better person!
May you feel the love of those around you in your time of loss. God is holding you ever so closely now and in the days ahead.
Much love and many prayers to you all
David, Michelle, Kelcey, Katie and Lukas Butler
~ Michelle Butler Philip SD (9/10/2017)
Our prayers and thoughts go out to the family, always remember Debbie as such a caring person. ~ Leann Olson (Ingram) Rapid City (9/10/2017)
Debbie was such a wonderful, genuine lady - always a smile even if her own day wasn't going well. She'll be missed a great deal in this community. We'll keep all of you in our prayers. ~ Annie and Obie Brunskill Philip (9/9/2017)
Dear Family, I am so sorry for your loss. With heartfelt
Sympathy, Elaine ~ Elaine Jensen Belle Fourche (9/9/2017)
We are so sorry for your loss. Debbie touched so many lives with her kind and compassionate spirit. She loved her family and was so proud of you. She was a very special friend to our parents and our family. Thank you for sharing her with us. We are blessed to call her our friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. God speed. ~ Rob & Nancy, Connie & DeWayne, Linda & Travis, Randy & Nichole, Andrew & Lisa Kunz & Families Sioux Falls, Polson, & Berthold (9/9/2017)
Thoughts and prayers go out to the Clements' family during this difficult time! ~ Jason & Sara Panek Huntersville, NC (9/9/2017)
With my deepest sympathy to Donna & family. ~ Bea Williams Missoula, Mt. (9/9/2017)
We are genuinely sorry to hear of this news. Debbie faced and stood down many trials and tests in her short life-and always with such a soft demeanor. Never heard a single complaint or regret from her. She was so friendly. Our prayers are added to those of many others. Bless her family and friends. ~ Jason and Vonda Hamill Milesville, SD (9/9/2017)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Donna and your family. ~ Gary & Linda Anderson Box Elder, SD (9/9/2017)
Sending our deepest sympathy. May God lift you during this difficult time. ~ Bruce Radway Alaska (9/9/2017)
My Deepest Sympathy. Please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers. May the Lord Be With You Now and Always. ~ Fawna (Geigle) Goff Sturgis, SD (9/9/2017)
Our deepest sympathies during this very sad time. The pictures and memories of her here in June for the Class of '77 Reunion have extra-special meaning. She will be greatly missed.
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Our Love and Prayers, Mike & Shar ~ Mike & Shar Moses Philip (9/9/2017)
Dear Donna & families,
May God be with all of You at a very difficult time; Know that Debbie is in Heaven with her Lord & Savior. She is in Total Peace and she deserves nothing less. Our Prayers are with all of You. ~ Jerry & Kathy S. Noteboom Lead, South Dakota (9/9/2017)
Debbie was one of the most genuine people I ever met. She will be greatly missed but oh what a special place she has in heaven. ~ Shaun & Lynn McKay Wall (9/9/2017)
We are thinking of all you folks during this difficult time, we all know that she is in a better place, no more pain. Hold on to all the memories, she was a very special person. ~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip, SD (9/9/2017)
I used to work with Debbie at Philip Health Services. She was a full time night aid when I started working as a staff RN. I always knew that it would be a good night whenever I saw Debbie walk in. She had a care giver heart and always showed such kindness to our patients.. It was a sad day for Philip Health Services when she left and I know many of our patients missed her smile. May God wrap His loving arms around you during this difficult time of loss and grief. Know that many people are lifting you up in prayer! ~ Carmen Fees Philip (9/9/2017)
Sending my thoughts and prayers to Dean's Husband and children and to her family. GOD has angel beautiful angel in his house.GOD BLESS YOU ALL. ~ Melody Songer Chamberlain SD (9/8/2017)
So sorry for your loss. Prayer for the whole family ~ Ann ( Rowcliffe)Roberts Fort collins CO (9/8/2017)
So sorry for your loss. Condolences to Mike, Luke, Kenny and Caleb. ~ Darwin and Connie Hellekson Philip (9/8/2017)
My prayers go out for Debbie's family. This is a prime example that life is short, it really saddens me, Hugs for all of you! RIP Debbie 🙏🙏🙏 ~ Bonnie Moses Nebraska (9/8/2017)
With deepest sympathy to all of the family. May God keep you in his care and help you through this difficult time. ~ Julie Furchner Ft. Pierre, SD (9/8/2017)
So very sorry to learn of Debbie's passing. May the love of family and friends help comfort you at this time. Heaven gained another angel! ~ Dave & Karen Webb Rapid City SD (9/8/2017)
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. ~ Laurie Dale Amarillo, Texas (9/8/2017)
Thoughts and Prayers to the family during this hard time! She will be missed by many! ~ Leslie O'Connell Rapid City, South Dakota (9/8/2017)
Your wife &mom is in the arms of our Heavenly Father!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 ~ Diane&Charlie Gittings Summerset (9/8/2017)
Debbie was a trooper been through hell and back. Hugs to the family. She will be missed. Glad I got to see her when I was home last. ~ Julie Brown Fairmont Nebraska (9/8/2017)
We are so deeply saddened to hear this news. So very sorry to all of Debbie's family. She was a wonderful lady and will be missed dearly. Our thoughts are prayers are with you all! ~ Nathan & Brittney Drury Philip (9/8/2017)
I am saddened to hear of Debbie's passing away, she fought hard. May she be at peace and may you, her family, have comfort in knowing she is in heaven with her Dad. ~ Char Price Philip, SD (9/8/2017)
We were so sad to hear of debbie's passing. May God bless all of you now and the days ahead. She fought a long hard battle. ~ Larry and Vicki neiderworder Philip sd (9/8/2017)