Debra L. Scalise

Deb was born on October 9th, 1960 in Fort Dodge, Iowa to Kenneth and Donna O’Donnell. She grew up north of Rolfe, Iowa with her sister Kathy, and two brothers Dan and Dennis. Deb enjoyed many outside adventures on the farm. These adventures included trying to get her horse into her house, playing basketball with her chicken Dumbcluck, and wrangling in the sheep and cattle whenever they got loose.

Deb attended Rolfe High School and later graduated with her GED. She attended Iowa Western Community College, graduating with her Certificate of Practical Nursing in 1988. She went on to start her nursing career, working at the nursing homes in O’Neill and Atkinson, Nebraska. She ended her career working as a hospice nurse for AseraCare. Following nursing, she took a slower pace of life, working at Super Foods in O’Neill and Burnell’s Foodtown in Hartington, NE. Deb always worked towards being the hands and feet of Jesus, serving, caring, and loving others. While being a nurse, caring for those at the end of life, providing a listening ear at the grocery store, giving a friendly smile, sharing advice to others, or providing a few dollars to customers who were short of cash, Deb knew how to love and serve as Christ.

Deb’s greatest joys in life were her three children, Trevor, Shea, and Rachel, along with their spouses and all of her 13 grandchildren. Even though many miles separated her from her kids and grandchildren, Deb tried to make the trips to Montana, Wyoming, and Omaha throughout the year to watch the football games, soccer matches, orchestra concerts, dance recitals, birthday parties, and holidays.

Throughout the years, Deb enjoyed gardening, canning, spending many days decorating for holidays, mining sapphires, family trips, garage sales, thrifting, playing sudoku and collecting all things pink flamingos. Deb will be remembered by her big hugs, loving smile, listening ear, generous heart, and her love for the Lord. Deb faced many trials in life with addiction, but God continued to prove His faithfulness. He was sovereign over her life and provided her sobriety these last 10 years. God continued to show His hand and faithfulness through Deb’s cancer diagnosis. Deb trusted God until her final breath.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her children: Trevor Scalise, Shea (Kayla) Scalise, and Rachel (Tyler) Cotterell. Also by her thirteen grandchildren: Landon, Wilder, Remi, Naomi, Celeste, Uriah, Malachi, Ella, Judah, Shiloh, Earl, Augustus, and Eli. Her father: Kenneth and siblings: Kathy (Neil) and Dennis. Along with many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her mother: Donna, as well as her. 

A Celebration of Life service will be held on August 15th, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Candlewood Church in Omaha (5051 F St. Omaha, NE).