Debra L. Moburg

Debra L. Moburg passed into Glory on December 31, 2023 surrounded by her family. Debra was born on May 16, 1951 in Madison, WI to Herb and Jean Steckling. Debra graduated from West High School in 1969. She met her husband to be, Steve in 1973 and was later married to him in 1974. Debra graduated from Rockford College with a degree in Early Childhood Education while raising two children. She later obtained her Masters degree from National Louis College. Debra started her teaching career at St. Peter's Catholic School in Rockford where she taught first grade. She moved to the Harlem School District where she taught first grade at Marquette Elementary School. She became a Reading Recovery teacher at Marquette Elementary School and later at Ralston Elementary. Debra worked on many projects during her career in Harlem School District. One project was Racing to Read where she organized an entire reading event with the Rockford Speedway. She took her students to the Rockford Speedway. She even rode in a race car around the track. Once Debra retired from teaching she worked at Nicholas Conservatory sharing her love for nature and the beauty of plants.
Debra was an avid reader herself but had many other interests. She loved nature and was out in it as much as possible. She had a great eye for photography; anytime she found a speck of beauty in nature she would take a picture. She took pictures of birds, flowers, and trees. Debra even raised seven Monarch butterflies from caterpillars to adult, setting them free to be symbols for others. Debra really loved the going to the ocean and she was able to go one last time in October 2023. The beach was her happy place watching the waves and even seeing sea turtles hatched filled her with great joy.
Debra was strong in her love of Jesus Christ. She served as a youth pastor at Beth Eden United Methodist Church in Rockford. She was involved in a spiritual retreat called A Walk to Emmaus. Debra served in many different leadership roles on these retreats, helping to lead others to a deeper relationship with Jesus. Debra touched many lives in the public schools and in her spiritual life with her compassion for nature and Jesus.
Debra is proceed in death by both sets of grandparents and her father. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Steve; her daughter, Joscelyn of Greeley, Colorado; her son, Dustin (Mandy) of La Cresent, Minnesota; her granddaughter, Milaina (Milly); and her mother, Jean.
The family would like to thank Serenity Hospice for their care of Debra in her last weeks on earth. Plus a special thanks to our daughter, Joscelyn for her loving care the last couple of months of her mother's life.
There will be a Celebration of Life from 2:00pm to 3:30pm on Thursday, January 25, 2024 in Riverside Community Church, 6816 North Second Street, Machesney Park, IL 61115. The family would like you to remember Debra by planting a tree, bush, or flowers in her name because she so loved nature.
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