Memorial service Debbie Robertson, 62, of Hettinger, ND will be Saturday, October 29, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Assembly of God Church in Hettinger. Rev. Allan Wickstrom will officiate and the burial of her ashes will follow at the Hettinger Cemetery.


Deborah "Debbie" Kirschmann was born on May 28, 1954 to Martha and Theobold. She was the youngest of 14 children. There has often been reference to the first family and the second family. However, to Debbie, they were all her brothers and sisters. Debbie along with her older siblings enjoyed growing up in the Regent area. She was particularly proud of her German Heritage, noting her parents spoke very little English. Debbie would often tag along with her older brother Roger, who would prank her or get her into trouble. However, Debbie was able to hold her own. Debbie proudly spoke that her mom was her best friend growing up.


Debbie became a mom at the very young age of 16 and while pregnant, stayed with her sister Ella and her husband Roger. She attended school through the 8th grade. Debbie married Gary Helfrich and Wendy was then born January 8, 1970, after which they had Cheryl in October 1972 and Corey in April 1975. They divorced and she later was married to Delmar Robertson for 22 years, they then divorced. Debbie and her family lived in the communities of Richardton, Mott, Hettinger, New England, Dickinson and Rugby while her children grew.


Debbie was hardworking, she worked various retail jobs, including waitressing and bartending to support her family, but her greatest love was caring for the elderly and disabled as a traveling CNA.


In her spare time, she lived true to her German Heritage when she baked and cooked. She loved being outdoors gardening and maintaining a meticulous yard. Those that knew Debbie, knew that she was a strong spirited and independent woman. Some would say a "Stubborn German". Debbie would agree! You could not tell her she couldn't do something, because, she would try to prove you wrong. She was very creative and could build anything. In her spare time, she would sew, crochet or knit beautiful blankets and clothing. Debbie would plant a garden every year only to reap the harvest with her canning.


Debbie's life wasn't always easy and she faced many trials in her life, with early pregnancy, at times financial hardships, health issues, broken relationships, alcoholism and every parent's greatest devastation with the loss of two of her three children. Through Debbie's obstacles, she prioritized her sobriety. She moved back to Hettinger two years ago to be closer to her Grandchildren. It was shortly after this that she was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. She defied the odds and lived longer than predicted. She fought hard for her life and tried not to let her illness get in the way of living. One of her Doctors noted her personality as "spicy". Those that knew her, would surely agree! Debbie was one of a kind! Debbie's loved her family especially her little fur babies, Tasha, Sugar and Lilly. She loved spending time with her daughter, Cheryl and her Grandchildren. She enjoyed her time with Roger & Ruth's family when in the Bismarck area and adored spending time with her niece and nephews. Debbie reports living with various regrets with how she lived parts of her life. She professed that she has never regretted having her three children when she did.


Debbie found peace with the Lord on October 24th 2016. Holding her memory close to their hearts are her daughter Cheryl (Nolan) Dix; grandchildren, Jacob, Joshua, Gabrielle, and Isabella Dix, grandchildren, Vanessa Helfrich, and Destiney Kremer; son-in-law Randy Holler; grandchildren Whitney (Andrew) Spratta, Marissa Holler. Her siblings, August (Lucille) Kirschmann, Ella Rokusek, Leona Pyles, Martha (Denny) Kroft, Roger (Ruth) Kirschmann; sisters-in-law Betty Seminole, Lavone Meier, Sharon Kirschmann, and brother-in-law Les Friez.


Preceding Debbie in death were her parents Martha and Theobold, siblings, Jake, Harold (Rena), Edward (Adeline), Albert, Art, Lorraine (Wayne) Larson, Laverne (Jim) Fulcomer, Adeline Friez and brother in law Roger Rokusek. Also preceding are her two children Wendy Holler and Corey Helfrich.