Jill Deppel

Jill Deppel

Jill Deppel, 67, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, passed away peacefully January 21, 2026, at VCU Medical Center. She was born April 30, 1958, in Helena, Montana, to Frank and Helen Thrasher. In her early years, she was raised in Montana's Gallatin Valley, which remained dear in her heart. In 1964, her family moved to San Luis Obispo, California, where her father, Frank, had taken a professorship. However, her favorite time of the year was the summer, when they returned to Montana and stayed up at their cabin near Storm Castle Creek in the Gallatin Canyon.

In 1976, after graduating high school in San Luis Obispo, she enrolled at Montana State University in their nursing program. In her final year, she was attending classes at the University of Montana, and met her husband, Doug. She and Doug kept seeing each other and later on that school year, "decided to get married". In 1980, she graduated with a BS in Nursing, and worked at St. James Hospital in Butte, Montana, where Doug's family resided. She and Doug were married October 17, 1981, in Butte, Montana. Her husband had joined the Air Force, and they moved down to Fairfield, California, as he had been stationed at Travis Air Force Base. After nearly 8 years and welcoming 2 sons, her husband did not extend his service so they could return to Montana to raise their family. In February 1989, they moved to Hamilton, Montana, where they had both obtained jobs at the local hospital.

She had multiple roles throughout her years in nursing, from working on the Floor, to the Emergency Room, and her longest role was at Home Health & Hospice. She ended her career in the Surgery Department, where she worked in Endoscopy along with Out-Patient Recovery from anesthesia. She retired in 2023 in order to take care of her husband, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2010. In addition to her professional life, she also invested her time with her local church. She spent decades as part of the music ministry, sharing her gift and love of music with others. She also helped out in the youth ministry, where she touched so many hearts and lives. In the summer of 2024, she moved out to Fredericksburg, Virginia, in order to be closer to her sons who had both moved to the east coast. In 2025, she welcomed her beloved grandson, Stellan, and helped her son John and his wife Michelle with the care of the new addition. In January 2026, she gave her last gift as an organ donor, ending her life the way she lived it, giving life to others.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Helen Thrasher; and her in-laws, Jack and Agnes Deppel. She is survived by her husband of almost 45 years, Douglas; her sons, John (Michelle) and Kevin; her grandson, Stellan; and her siblings in law, Mark Deppel (Kevin Yip), Nancy Fulton (Mike), Scott Deppel, and Mary Thompson (David); along with numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

Her funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia, followed by a reception at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Jill's honor to the Alzheimer's Association or to Donate Life.

Online guest book is available at covenantfuneralservice.com.