Debra Joyce St. John

Funeral Mass for Debra (Debbie) Joyce St. John, 67, of Sioux Falls, SD will be held on Monday, February 26, 2023, at 10:30 A.M. at St Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, Sisseton, SD with Fr. Gregg Frankman, and Pastor Vern Donnell officiating. The pianist will be Billy Kohl. Pall Bearers will be Trai Reed, Tyree Reed, Lawson Renville, Billy Keeble, Paul Keeble, and Javery Purlee. Honorary Pall Bearers will be Gayla Storhau, Mona St. John, Cheryl L. Renville, Lita St. John, Barbara St. John, Patty Dumarce Nerison, Jonas Keeble, Teddy St. John, Steve St. John, and Rocky St. John. Interment will be in St. Matthews Catholic Cemetery, Veblen, SD. There will be an All-Night Wake Service on Sunday, February 25, 2024, starting at 7:00 P.M. at St. Kateri Hall, Sisseton, SD. The Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD is in charge of arrangements.
Debra Joyce St. John was born on April 25, 1956, at Sisseton, SD to Lydia Keeble and Benedict St. John. Debra is a boarding school survivor. Debra was in the Tekakwitha Orphanage until her mother's death. Debra was taken by her aunt Esther St. John and lived with her until Debra relocated to Oakland, Ca. and lived with her aunt and uncle Elmer and Martha St. John. After returning to Sisseton, Debra met Mickie Renville. Through this union they had one son, Lawson Renville. Through Debra's challenges of being a single parent Debra dropped out of school to raise her son. Through trials and tribulations Debra realized she could not raise her son alone. Debra made the heart wrenching decision to give her son a loving home. Lawson was raised by Norris and Marion LaCroix. Debra met and married Eldon Reed. Through this union Debra had one daughter, Kristi Reed. Debra and Eldon divorced and went their own way. Throughout Debra's years she lived in Veblen, SD, Wahpeton, ND and Sioux Falls, SD where she died on February 19, 2024. While living in Wahpeton Debra met her good friend Gayla and stayed connected until her passing. While in Sioux Falls, Debra fought battles with diabetes. Through her complications with diabetes Debra had two sons Jesse and Hunter St. John who were adopted by Julie and Norman Watts. Debra experienced loss and grief which created emotional challenges along with her declining health. Debbie enjoyed going to the casino, visiting friends and relatives, doing puzzles, collecting knick knacks. If you knew Debbie, you know she had a friendly personality and kind heart.
Debbie is survived by her children, one daughter Kristie Reed of Sioux Falls, SD; three sons Lawson Renville of Watertown, SD, Jesse St John Watts of Rapid City, SD, and Hunter St. John Watts of Sisseton, SD; two sisters Ardella Williams of Sisseton, SD and Reanee St. John of Devils Lake, ND; two brothers Kenneth St. John of Sisseton, SD and Emerson St. John of Bismarck, ND; twelve grandchildren; and an uncle Jonas Keeble of Sisseton, SD and an aunt Harriett Keeble of Watertown, SD.
Debra was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters Cynthia St. John, and good friend Robert Burns.