Debra Kay Smith, 51, of Gaylord, Minnesota and formerly of Le Sueur, Minnesota, and New Prague, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, Dec. 26, 2016, at the Mala Strana Nursing home in New Prague.

She was born on April 5, 1965, in Saint Ansgar, Iowa, to Justin and Delores Tieman (Ripka). Deb graduated from Saint Ansgar High School. She married Richard Smith on July 17, 1999, at the Little Brown Church just outside of Nashua, Iowa, where they lived. In 2000, they moved to New Prague and resided there until moving again in 2009 to Le Sueur. In 2014, Rick and Deb moved for the final time to a small acreage south of the town of Gaylord. Deb worked for many years as a daycare provider in Iowa and Minnesota, at one time caring for upwards of 10 children. After her first spell of cancer was over and she was ready to start working again, she got a job as a cashier at Alco in Le Sueur. She loved her family more than anything in life, but she also took a liking to animals, flowers and gardening, and playing card games.

She is survived by her husband, Rick; and children, Joshua Smith of Minneapolis, Sarah (Scott) Lester of Clear Lake, Iowa, Nick (Amber Sorbo) Smith of Minneapolis, Stephanie Smith of Mankato, Minnesota, and Michael Smith of New Prague; three grandchildren: Kennedy, Grayson, and Violet Lester; siblings, Dennis (Deb) Tieman of Fremont, Wisconsin, Darwin Tieman, Spencer Tieman, Brian Tieman, LaRae Tieman, and Doug Tieman, all of Lyle, Minnesota, and Denise (Shane) Ferguson of Lakeville, Minnesota; and and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorial services were held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 30, 2016, at the United Methodist Church in Le Sueur. Visitation was one hour prior to the services at the church. Kolden Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.