Debbie and I grew up together on 33rd Street in Two Rivers. She was 3 years older than me and lived two houses away. As children and teens, we played and hung out together almost every day. The door to the Klawitter house was always open and welcoming, as was our house. I would go over to Debbie’s house and knock. She would yell, “Just Come in!.” We played shoe store, Barbie dolls, dress up, and house. We played games outside, rode our bikes, had sleep overs in the backyards, swam in the neighbor’s pool, went to the neighborhood store and ate at Mr. G’s, the neighborhood hamburger joint. When Debbie got her driving license and had a car, we spent hours cruising around Two Rivers and summer evenings often found Debbie, Nadine and I on a late evening run to the local A & W for cheeseburgers & chicken dumpling soup.
Debbie had a strong spirit and was a loyal friend. She stood by her friends and was always up for some fun & laughs. Nadine and I always found it entertaining to hear Debbie banter with her mom or her brother, Donnie, or anyone else who happened to be around.
I have so many wonderful memories of time spent with Debbie. My sincere sympathy to all of her family!