COMSTOCK, DEB

Debra Comstock 1953-2019 Debra Kay was the first born to Clayton and Mary (Nelson) Johnson on December 21, 1953. She was born in St. Louis, MO while Clayton was stationed there in the Coast Guard. She grew up in Essex, Iowa and became the big sister of Randy and Vicki. She attended Fremont Lutheran Church all her life. While attending Essex Community School (K-12) she was involved in band, basketball, softball, Pep Club, and was on the Annual Staff. She graduated with the class of 1972. She was a Brownie and in the 4-H Pierce Pinnette Club. After high school she attended Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, IA and after graduating returned to Essex. Deb married Terry Comstock on August 1, 1981 in an outdoor wedding on the parsonage lawn. They were married 29 years, and they were blessed with a daughter, Sara, and son, Andy. She enjoyed attending all of their activities growing up with school and church. After working in banking and office settings she discovered the Tea Room in Stratford, IA where she enjoyed waitressing and helping out where needed. From Stratford she moved to Iowa City, IA and loved helping out with her new grandchildren. While there she worked security at the Iowa Hawkeyes home football games. Omaha then became her home for a couple of years while helping care for her Dad. She was a "Lunch Lady" during the school year for Omaha Public Schools. She volunteered and enjoyed the Bunco group. The last three years she enjoyed living back at the farm she grew up on. She reconnected with classmates and old friends while meeting new friends at her job at the Shenandoah Medical Center cafeteria. Deb enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling to Puerto Vallarta, MX-Jamaica-Cruise to the Bahamas, volunteering, reading, watching any NBA game, Kansas City Chiefs, Iowa Hawkeyes, the Essex Labor Day weekends, holidays, shopping, gardening, baking with the Grandkids and playing games. Her greatest joy, of course, was her grandchildren, Abram, Stella and Isabel Livermore. She was excited for the fourth grandchild due in April. She was touched by the support she received after her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. We, her family, are overwhelmed with the love and support following her stroke in October. Deb passed away at the Taylor House in Des Moines, IA. She was cared for and loved by all there which we are so grateful for. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clayton and Mary and brother Randy. Deb is survived by her daughter Sara and son-in-law Joshua Livermore; her sweet grandchildren: Abram, Stella and Isabel Livermore of Norwalk, IA; son Andy of Coon Rapids, MN; sister Vicki and brother-in-law Chris Maher from Omaha, NE; her God mother and aunt Beulah Johnson of Ames, IA; her aunt Jean Nelson of Red Oak, IA; cousins Alan Johnson and Linda (Johnson) Hefley of Ames, IA, Christy (Nelson) Watkins of Clarinda and Tracy (Nelson) White of Ponce Inlet, FL. Celebration of life funeral service was held 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at the Fremont Lutheran Church in Nyman, Iowa with Pastor Ann Albert as officiant. Visitation with the family was held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at the Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home in Shenandoah, Iowa. The lector was Alan Johnson, who also gave the eulogy. At the memorial register was Susan Blane and Paulette Marsh. Ushers were Allen and Mary Ann Stuart. The congregational hymn was "How Great Thou Art." Joshua Livermore sang a medley of "Amazing Grace", "Jesus Loves Me" and "Hallelujah." The recorded music was "Somewhere Over The Rainbow." The pianist was Pat Tillman. The casket bearers were Andrew Comstock, Chris Maher, Terry Comstock, Joshua Livermore, Alan Johnson and Seth Watkins. Burial was held at the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Nyman, Iowa. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Shenandoah Food Pantry or the American Cancer Society-Hope Lodge in Omaha, Nebraska. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.hackettlivingston.com. Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.