Debra Jean Vietzke

Resided in Escanaba, MI
Died October 5, 2020

Debra (Debbie) Jean Vietzke, 62, passed away with her family at her side at Northwoods Place Assisted Living on October 5, 2020, following complications of a lengthy cancer battle. She was born in Escanaba on April 18th, 1958 to Richard (Dick) and Lenore Vietzke. She was baptized and confirmed at St Anne’s Church in Escanaba. Her faith was very important to her.

Debbie graduated from Escanaba Area High School in 1976 with honors and subsequently from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. She went on to earn a subsequent Master’s Degree in Business and a Doctorate Degree.

Debbie moved to Yardley, PA to begin her career at Transamerica DeLaval in Trenton, NJ. She was in leadership roles for the Siemen’s company for over 40 years. In her most recent years, she transferred to Houston, TX and led the integration effort of the Siemens service business in North America. She achieved global respect and had a highly regarded reputation across the industry. She truly loved what she did every day with the team she was working with and it was very clear to her family that they loved her as well.

Debbie enjoyed her weekly phone calls with her mom and dad and biannual visits back to Escanaba to visit with family. She loved to cook and experiment with new recipes. She enjoyed sharing meals with friends from work, who became her extended family. Debbie became a world traveler because of her job and really enjoyed seeing and learning about new places. She had a ball on her get away excursions with her sister Carol. Above all she loved to work and she did that until her health declined to the point it was impossible to continue.

Surviving in addition to parents Richard (Dick) and Lenore Vietzke of Escanaba are her sisters Carol (Vietzke) Hill and her husband Bert; Mary (Vietzke) Fischer and her husband Willi, and Sandra (Sandy) (Vietzke) Andrew along with 2 nieces, Heidi Hill and Marla Evans (Hill) and husband Gary; and 3 nephews, Nolan Hill, Nicholas (Nick) Andrew and Benjamin (Ben) Andrew. In addition survivors include an uncle and many cousins.

Also surviving are some special people Debbie worked with and befriended, Gabriel and Dana, John and Michelle, Denise, Tamara and Cheryl. They supported her compassionately as she navigated her cancer battle. There are so many from her work that supported her they cannot be named here, and the family recognizes how much they meant to her. Their cards, letters and videos meant the world to her.

Visitation and Services will be private as Debbie wished. Burial will be at the Gardens of Rest Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the doctors and staff of MD Anderson in Houston, Northwoods Place Assisted Living, UP Health System Hospice and Gentle Hearts and Hands, in Escanaba, for their support and care in Debbie’s last weeks.

22 Tributes for “Debra Jean Vietzke”

    My sincerest condolences go out to Debbie’s family. Debbie and I went to school together from grade school to high school and graduated together. She will be missed by all her classmates.

    I have know Debbie for over 30 years. She was a compassionate and giving individual. Her laugher and sense of humor was contagious and for ever lasting. As conversations went, she cherished her relationships with her family and colleagues. Her compassion for Siemens and its success was her life. Rest In Peace my dear friend. You are loved by many. God Bless

    My condolences to Debbie and her family I went to school with Debbie you’re in my thoughts and my prayers

    I have many wonderful memories of good times shared throughout Jr. High and High School. Debbie was smart, talented, caring and had an excellent sense of humor. When she laughed, it came from her soul. Rest in peace friend.

    Peace to Debbie and her family and friends from a high school classmate. It’s nice to know she loved life and lived it fully with all her friends, co-workers and family!

    My heartfelt and deepest condolences to Debbie’s family at this time. I had the pleasure of knowing Debbie through work at Siemens. In fact, she gave me one tough interview before I was hired on full time, which is exactly what I expected knowing her true dedication to her job! Though she was tough when needed, she was equally soft and caring and one of the most exceptional people I have ever known. Her laugh was infectious and her company was warm, friendly and full of fun stories. She will be greatly missed by everyone. My heartfelt prayers go out to all…she will never be forgotten by anyone who knew her.

    I was at Delaval for almost 25 years. Altho our paths didn’t cross often, Debbie was a familiar figure there. Delaval was a very special workplace to all and many friendships have carried on thru the years. My condolences to all her family and friends

    My condolences to Debbie’s family on your loss. I used to work with Debbie when she was located at the Trenton NJ office. We had many conversations about our business, but those discussions would migrate to music, wine and food, as we also shared some great dinners together when the work day was done. Rest in peace Debbie.

    Very sad to lose this incredible lady. Smart, dedicated, hard working and a treasure to all who knew her. I had the pleasure of working with Debbie from her first day in the training program through retirement 35 years later. Lots of laughs and great experiences along the way. Traveled the world chasing business challenges and successes. No better colleague.
    God bless her soul and her family.
    We will all miss her dearly but are the better for having the opportunity to make the journey these too few years with her as a work partner and friend.
    Rest In Peace.
    Vince Wagner

    To Mary, Carol and “momma and dad”,
    I am so sorry for the loss of your vivacious sister/daughter. Thank you for the opportunity to care for this precious lady. Every interaction I had with her touched me and I already miss her. I was honored to have had the chance to earn her trust and give her my best. Please accept my sincere condolences. Love to you all.

    I met Debbie Trenton. She was a wonderful, smart woman who will be greatly missed. Our time together in Trenton and Houston was too short. The world was a better place because of her.
    Condolences to her family.

    We’ll always remember Debbie with such fondness and warmth. Those memories we have will live on forever and be cherished for years to come. Our deepest condolences for the loss of such a wonderful person.
    With deepest sympathy, Dana and Gabriel.

    From Mike Cappadocio and Billy Gainfort:

    Debbie was a great mentor to both of us. As part of her marketing team, she always took care and watched over her two Canadian “work sons”.

    We would often travel to Trenton for meetings and after a long day, she would treat us to “din din” as she called it. She would bug Billy about his love life and hair and we would always end up laughing.

    She approached work passionately and put a lot of faith in both of us. This helped us learn early in our careers and shaped us into the individuals we are today.

    When leaving Trenton or Houston there would always be a big hug goodbye.

    Both of us will miss Debbie.

    Prayers and thoughts for Debbie’s family and friends during this challenging time.

    Billy and Mike (or as Debbie called us “The Dynamic Duo”)

    My respects and condolences to Debbie’s family and friends, she will be sorely missed.
    I worked with her in Trenton NJ for a number of years and was always impressed with her clarity, purpose and enthusiasm, but leavened to an unusual degree with personal kindness and care for everyone that she worked with. I recall the fun of spending time together off-duty in her favorite venues in Yardley and will preserve those good times in memory. Requiescat in Pace, Debbie.

    It was an honor to work with Debbie. Future biz trips to US will never be the same. Always with great professialism, enthusiasm and competence but also always with a huge sense of humor – I will miss Debbie.
    My deepest condolences for this loss to her famiy.

    My deepest sympathy to the family and all of us who had the honor and pleasure of knowing Debbie. I feel very blessed to having Debbie in my life over the last several years from our work relationship. Her warm personality, cheerful disposition, keen business sense and wonderful sense of humor made all our time together very special. I will miss her deeply and have great confidence that her time on this earth will be rewarded. God has bless you. Rest in peace.

    To my dearest Debbie. I think of this line from Winnie the Pooh. “If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart. I’ll stay there forever.” A.A. Milne. I know you are resting in eternal peace now so sleep well in the arms of God. Prayers and Blessings to the family, friends and everyone that knew and loved you.

    My deepest sympathy to the family. I worked for Debbie at Delaval. She was a leader who lead with conviction, intellect, and humor. After she left Trenton, I missed her and now miss her even more. When I come up with a difficult situation, I ask myself “What would Debbie do?” She was a wonderful person, who truly will be missed.

    I am so sorry for your loss, I went to school with Debbie and remember her well, she was always so kind and willing to help out anyone in need. Heaven recieved a true Angel. You will be missed by everyone who knew her. Rest in Peace my friend.

    To Richard & Lenore & Family
    We were so sorry to hear the sad news about Debbie. We will be thinking about you with deepest sympathy in this time of sorrow.

    To Carol and the entire Vietzke family,
    My deepest sympathy to you all. I knew Debbie in high school band (I was a year behind, with Carol). She was a wonderful musician, and it was a lot of fun to make music with her. May her memories comfort you all at this time. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

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