Deborah L. Highbarger

1951 - 2014

Deborah L. Highbarger, a strong, bold and fun-loving wife, mother, & gramma, passed away in Longmont, CO and entered a new life December 12, 2014, surrounded by her loving family & husband of 45 years. Debbie was born April 6, 1951 in Boulder, CO, her maiden name was Bloom. Her families homesteaded in the Boulder/Longmont area. She graduated from Fairview High School in 1969 & attended college later in life. She married the love of her life, her best friend & business partner Mick Highbarger December 11, 1969. Together they were a team that worked hard, but played even harder and successfully raised 3 great children. They settled in Longmont in the home that Debbie designed to not only raise their family, but to host kids, family, friends, and anyone else who may show up. It was a natural gift that Debbie had to make you feel at home, take you in, and feed an entire crew at any given moment. Another gift that Debbie had was the ability to take a dream and make it a reality. She believed you can make anything come true if you worked hard. Debbie worked for local businesses her entire life until a new challenge came along: owning a business. The dream of owning a business with Mick came true when they purchased Venture Mfg. Co. Inc. (A Prototype Machine Shop). Debbie handled all aspects of the office management and bookkeeping while Mick brought the work in. In December 2012, after 32 years of co-owning the business, Debbie and Mick both retired. She will be greatly missed by all the "boys" at Venture, many of whom have known her for more than 20 years. Debbie had many hobbies and activities she enjoyed, some favorites were: cooking, baking, sewing, fast cars & loud music, dancing, ice tea, warm beaches and playing. She enjoyed playing board games and cars with all her grandchildren. She loved to travel, camp with friends & family, sailing or lying in the sun on cruise ship headed to the Caribbean. She always knew how to live life to the fullest and she made sure that she and Mick always closed the bar down! To her, life was about having fun and loving it! Debbie loved her family and taught others that family extends to all, even friends. Those who knew Debbie found out you didn't have to know her long to see she loved Christmas. You couldn't walk in the front door without being greeted by Ole' Saint Nicholas himself, singing carols. Her home was filled with 13 Christmas Trees, each beautifully decorated with a different theme, holiday cookies & treats, decorations in every nook & cranny, the sound of children's laughter and family. Debbie wanted those who believed to feel like they were at the North Pole. She was preceded in death by her parents: Carol & Lon Mink and Albert Bloom. Debbie is survived by her husband, Mick Highbarger, children Heather (daughter) & Jeff Salmen, Scott Highbarger (son), & Morgan (daughter) & Dan Henderson, her grandchildren: Alex, Jaden, Skyler and Chase, her siblings Gordon (brother) & Gaile Mink, Pam (sister) & Roy Modisette, Audi Mink (sister), & Jeff (brother) & Heidi Mink, as well as many nieces & nephews, and friends that she considered family. Family and friends are invited to a service to honor Debbie at Valmont Community Presbyterian Church, 3262 61st Street, Boulder, CO on Saturday January 3rd at 2pm, with a reception to follow. A Private Celebration of Debbie's life will be held at a later date.