Deborah Z. Checketts

Deborah Esther "Debbie" Zuech Checketts, 69, of Clinton, Utah, passed away on March 16, 2026, after her courageous 16-month battle with cancer.

Debbie was an exceptional wife, mom, grandma, and friend. She enjoyed traveling and planned the most memorable trips that her family and friends will always keep as cherished memories. She gathered people together and loved to mark every occasion with a lovely meal.

Born November 29, 1956 to Edith Mae Hiner and Rudolph Frank Zuech in Ogden, Utah. Debbie was the 5th in an industrious family of seven children. She learned to work hard and to appreciate the fruits of her labors on the family farm. She was strong and passionate and always thinking of others. Her roots in tradition were accented with a love for learning and growing.

She met Scott Nielsen Checketts in 1975 while working at Stop & Shop in North Ogden, where owner Jack Schaum took pride in playing matchmaker once again. Their eyes met over the Lipton Cup-a-Soup display. Debbie's interest in joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was met with support from her parents. She was baptized by her sweetheart in 1976, and they were married April 29, 1977 in the Ogden Temple. Together they raised four wonderful children in Layton, Utah in what Debbie called the perfect "E.T." neighborhood. They eventually built their comfortable retirement home in Clinton, Utah.

Debbie began her career in East Layton as a Playground Duty. She moved to the Library in 1990 and touched many lives as a Librarian and Media Specialist for the Davis School District. She created a love for books and reading in so many children. Her students would often run up to her in public, even years later, and be delighted that she still remembered their names. She enjoyed her career in several elementary schools and retired from Lakeside Elementary in July of 2019. She cherished her time there and the many close friendships she made while working.

Debbie was often found humming and would say, "a happy soul hums." She never cared for the phrase "Debbie Downer," as she always chose to be just the opposite. She kept her humor through hard times and remained an optimist throughout her life. She had a deep love of travel and especially cherished time spent on cruise ships, enjoying the journey as much as the destination. Visiting her family homeland in Brez, Italy, along with many other European bucket list destinations in recent years, were among her favorites. Scott often took her on day-long adventures to the hills and mountains to see the fall leaves on their ATV. She would proudly say she had visited all 50 states with Scott.

Debbie occupied her time with visiting her children, spoiling her grandchildren, and crafting projects. She found joy in creating beautiful things for herself and others, specifically scrapbooking, cross-stitching and other homemade sewing treasures. She loved playing games with her grandchildren and taking them shopping. Watching her children and grandchildren grow into kind and responsible people was one of her great joys. She was proud to know she played a part in their journeys.

Debbie treasured her friends dearly and was always making new ones. Her light and positivity were always drawing people in. This was made evident by the many people who came to visit in her last few weeks.

Anytime Debbie discovered new things she couldn't wait to share them with everyone around her. She loved to buy tote bags and souvenirs of all kinds. She believed everything happens for a reason and taught her children that "everything will look brighter in the morning." She served faithfully as Relief Society President, Ward Activities Leader, Young Women Camp Director, ministering sister and loved the relationships she built along the way. She believed that Jesus Christ is her Savior. She knew that our families are an eternal unit and that we can live forever in the presence of God with them if we remain faithful to God's Plan of Salvation.

She is survived by her husband, Scott Checketts of 48 years; her children, Brandon (Katie) Checketts of Athens, Georgia; Dustin (Emily) Checketts of Watkinsville, Georgia; Jordan (Carly) Checketts of Kaysville, Utah; and Megan (Alex) Rasmussen of Orlando, Florida; 15 beloved grandchildren, Noah, Catie, Andrew, Taryn, CJ, Taylor, Libby, Annelise, Stockton, Jack, William Henry, Millie, Lottie, Maverick, Isabelle, and one on the way; siblings, Carol Jelaco, Steve (Karen) Zuech, Terry (Karen) Zuech, Kathy Newman, Tammy (Steve) Nelson, and Mike (Chrystal) Zuech. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rudy and Edith; brothers-in-law, George Jelaco and John Newman; and daughter-in-law, Kelly Checketts.

Funeral services will be held Monday, March 23rd at 12:30 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1708 W 800 N, Clearfield, Utah. Friends and neighbors are invited to attend a viewing at the church from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM prior to the services.

Debbie's family would like to express appreciation to the countless medical professionals at the Huntsman Cancer Center who cared for her. A special thanks to Lisa Anderson, Lisa Lassiter, and Annette Wood.

We invite you to share your memories of Debbie and upload photos to her memorial page. Your stories and images will serve as a beautiful testament to the life and legacy of a woman who meant so much to many. Services under the direction of Myers Mortuary of Layton. www.myers-mortuary.com

Family has chosen not to have services live streamed.