Deborah “Debbie ” A. Kliese

Deborah Ann Kliese, or Debbie as she was best known, left behind a legacy of compassion and care when she passed away on June 12, 2024.

There are few people in a person’s life as consequential as a mother and Debbie served as a mother to so many: a family mom, a cat mom, a volunteer mom, a band mom, and a coach for new moms.

Debbie was born in Milwaukee on May 1, 1953 to parents Herb and Ivy Westenberger and was the eldest of four children. In 1974, she married her lifelong partner James (Jim) Kliese and they had three daughters, Rebecca, Michelle and Jennifer.

Debbie devoted her life and career to caring for others around her. After graduating from Milwaukee Area Technical College in 1973, she became a registered nurse. She worked for 44 years at Waukesha Memorial Hospital, first in the surgery and labor and delivery units, then teaching prenatal education classes to help families through one of the most important times in their lives. She also served as a visiting nurse, traveling to homes to care for women dealing with complications as they adjusted to life as new mothers.

Throughout her 71 years as a caregiver to all, Debbie faithfully cared for her own family, and was always willing to drop everything to be there for the important moments, no matter how far she’d have to travel to see a play, band concert, or other celebration.

After her kids and grandkids, sewing was Debbie’s passion. She took “band mom” to a new level, volunteering to take on the colossal job of fitting thousands of high schoolers for their marching band uniforms – all while teaching them crucial life lessons, like how to hang a crisp pair of pants. That work inspired Debbie to combine her interests in crafting and music into a fundraising event for the Kettle Moraine High School Band. Twenty years later, the annual craft fair continues to support local artists and band students thanks to Debbie’s enthusiastic planning and coordination.

Debbie’s organization, conviction and dedication to helping people found a new home when she and Jim discovered their second family in the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. As volunteer coordinator and board member for more than a decade, she always knew just what was needed to create a fulfilling day for the veterans in the organization’s care. It didn’t matter that she had to arrive at 2 a.m. to make sure everything was set at the airport. She was always going to be there for those who needed her and worked long hours behind the scenes to coordinate logistics for special events.

Debbie’s creativity and determination was at work at home, too, where she would spend winter months cultivating seedlings to prep them for her robust garden, allowing great views of an abundance of woodland wildlife. Her love for collections filled her house with chenille blankets and quilting supplies, ready to inspire a new creation. With a touch of frugality and a flair for the three Rs, she was always willing to hold on to a perfectly good tupperware container or plastic bag that could have another life filled with leftovers or Honor Flight merchandise. Food and treats were plentiful and no one ever went hungry with Debbie around.

Helping people was Debbie’s calling. She spent a lifetime sharing everything with her family and friends and would fiercely support her loved ones when they needed it most. Her love and selflessness got us all through challenges big and small. Her courageous and determined spirit helped keep her fighting through the toughest battle of her life. Ultimately, cancer was the only thing that could get in her way.

The world is a duller place with Debbie’s passing, but we are all better to have known her. We know she’s now looking after all those who left before us, including her parents, brother Chris Westenberger, and son-in-law Mike Mantz.

Debbie is survived by her devoted husband of 50 years, who was constantly by her side through all her recent health challenges, her three daughters, two sons-in-law Phil LaCasse and Brad Fedie, four grandchildren (Benjamin, Emily, Abigail, and Ellie LaCasse), her brother Tom (Deb) Westenberger, sister Amy (Scott) Lustig, and her extended family of countless supportive friends.

Please join loved ones to celebrate Debbie’s life on Sunday, July 14 at Krause Funeral Home,  21600 West Capitol Drive in Brookfield. Visitation begins at 1:00 PM. Service at 2:00 PM with a reception to follow. A private burial will be held Monday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to HAWS (the Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County) and the Deborah A. Kliese Memorial Band Student Scholarship. Payments to Kettle Moraine Music Parents Association, noting Kliese Scholarship (501c3).