Deborah Severance

Deborah Severance
Deborah A. Severance, 61, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, surrounded by family, following a battle with ALS. She was born September 17, 1963 in Bad Axe to Keith and Doris (Pearson) Klinkman. She married Randy Severance on June 19, 1982 in Cass City Presbyterian Church.
Deb graduated from Cass City High School in 1981. She and Randy became a 'couple' during high school, attending a double feature at the Cass Theater while chauffeured by Randy's older brother (because Randy could not yet drive legally), and they were inseparable for almost fifty years. After marriage, she settled into a vibrant and productive life as wife and mother, raising two sons, Sean and Brad, on the Severance family farm. She applied her creative gifts in arts, crafts, and design and created a welcoming space for her large circle of family and friends. Her creative eye and passion for composition led her to become an accomplished photographer, able to capture the essence of her subjects. Her photos of nature, wildlife and family remain on display in many homes and have been widely shared on social media.
She loved the Disney experience! Deb introduced her children to Disney at a very young age, and many family trips to Florida were to follow. Sean became her co-planner in these excursions, which were carefully scheduled with required Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion rides followed by fireworks. Over time, Deb experienced every version of fireworks offered by the Disney company. She began a long journey as a key staff member of the Cass City Chronicle in 1994, using her design skills to serve as proofreader, compositor, and copy editor until the end of the newspaper's run in late 2023.
Deb responded to the many challenges presented by ALS with determination, grace, and courage. She focused on what she could accomplish with each new day, remained connected to friends and family by social media, and shared her journey and her faith in ways both large and small. Her faith and witness have been powerful, extending far beyond the limitations imposed by her illness.
Deb is survived by her husband, Randy; sons, Sean Severance, Brad (Jessi) Severance; four grandchildren, Emma, Elijah, Oliver, Piper; her fantastic brother, Mike (Lisa) Klinkman; nephew, Andrew (Amanda) Klinkman; nieces, Emily (Kevin) Klinkman, Hannah Klinkman; great-nephew, Nolan; great niece, Mara; and a large extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, and stepfather, Edward Golding Jr.
Funeral service held 11 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Shabbona Riverside Church with Pastor Josh Schmitz officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Shabbona Riverside Church.
Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 22, 2025 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City. 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 23, 2025, in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City. 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2025 in Shabbona Riverside Church.