Debra A. Rupert-Sjolander, Morganville
January 21, 1959 - May 21, 2021
Debra A. Rupert-Sjolander, age 62, formerly of Concordia and Ames, KS, left this earthly life on May 21, 2021 surrounded by her family at her home in Morganville, KS. She was born on Jan. 21, 1959 in Concordia, KS to Robert “Bob” L. and Berniece V. (Esslinger) Schreiber.
Debra graduated from Concordia High School in 1977. She married Gary W. Rupert on Oct. 21, 1983 in Concordia, KS. He preceded her in death on April 21, 2003. She later married Mark Sjolander on Jan. 29, 2005 in Clyde, KS.
Debra and Gary moved to Florida while Gary served in law enforcement. Debra worked at Log Cabin Gun Traders as a salesperson and reloading ammunition. She later became a Master Gardener and worked for Holly’s Bloomers. While in Florida, she began taking nursing classes and worked as a CNA at Lutheran Good Samaritan Center in Florida. They returned to Kansas after Gary was injured in the line of duty and for Debra to begin nursing school.
In 1996, she graduated from Cloud County Community College with an AAS in nursing degree, passed her boards and became an RN. She began her nursing career at Cloud County Health Center then Golden Living in Wakefield as the DON. She also worked at Park Villa Nursing Home and Mt. Joseph Senior Village as a charge nurse. She taught CPR, Lamaze classes and was a S.T.A.B.L.E program provider. The latter part of her career, she worked as a clinic nurse for the Clay County Family Physicians Clinic for 12 years. Debra will be remembered as a caring, compassionate nurse who was committed to learning and advancing her nursing expertise.
Debra was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Clyde, where she served on the parish council. She and Mark were instrumental in the construction of the newer fence at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. While she lived in Florida, Debra was a member of the Kiwanis Club and held almost every office. She was named Kiwanian of the Year for her many contributions to her local club. She was also a member of the Clyde VFW #7515 Auxiliary.
She is survived by her husband Mark Sjolander, Morganville, KS; children Christina Thompson (Joseph), Orange Park, FL, Christopher Rupert, Topeka, KS, Amber Dillow (Johnny II), Ames, KS and Whitney Novy (Chris), Manhattan, KS; sister Arlene Schreiber Thomas (Larry), Wichita and brother, Michael Schreiber (Glenda), Concordia, KS and grandchildren Ariana, Trenten and Ellasyn Rupert; Garrett and Franklin Dillow and Kristen, Sarah an Marissa Thompson.
She was preceded in death by her first husband Gary and her parents.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 28 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Clyde with Fr. Steven Heina and Fr. Don Zimmerman officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Clyde. Vigil/Rosary will be 6:00 p.m., Thursday, May 27 at the church. Visitation will be Thursday, May 27th from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Chaput Mortuary, Clyde and after 5 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, Debra requests memorials to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758541, Topeka, KS 66675 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of the funeral home.
For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.
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