Debra Pauli

Debra Pauli, age 60, of Twin Brooks, died Sunday, November 6, 2016, at the Ortonville Hospital after a 2 ½ year battle with bile duct cancer.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2016, at 1:30 p.m. at American Lutheran Church in Milbank with Rev. Carl Larson officiating. Burial will follow in the Milbank City Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 9, at Mundwiler Funeral Home and will continue on Thursday for one hour prior to the time of service at the church.

Casket bearers will be Willi Pauli, Alex Pauli, Brandon Trapp, Brian Trapp, Jeffrey Trapp, Ryan Dittus, Cory Slunecka, and Richard Pauli. Honorary bearers include Deb’s grandchildren: Christopher Driscoll, James Driscoll, Mason Dommer, Madisyn Kasdorf, and Oliver Peterson.

Debra Lee Pauli was born on January 4, 1956, Gettysburg, SD, to Lorren and Carletta Mary (Vail) Kilian. She grew up in Gettysburg, where she graduated from high school with the class of 1974. Deb furthered her education, attending Northern State University in Aberdeen.

On October 1, 1977, Deb was united in marriage with Roger Pauli and the couple resided in Twin Brooks, SD. This union was blessed with 39 years of marriage and three daughters. Deb worked at various places throughout the area including Coast to Coast and New Beginnings Bridal Store in Milbank. She also served as the Koch School lunch lady for many years.

Deb was an active member of American Lutheran Church in Milbank. She taught Sunday school for many years, spent several summers organizing bible school, and sewed blankets for the church newborns. Deb was also involved with the Dakota Doers Extension and the South Dakota Rabbit Club. She enjoyed participating in 4-H as a leader, a rabbit and chicken judge, and she took great pride in running the 4-H rabbit barn at the South Dakota State Fair for ten years. Deb was also an avid gardener and wonderful cook and baker. Most important, Deb was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who cherished time spent with her family.

Blessed to have shared her life is her husband, Roger Pauli of Twin Brooks, SD; daughters: Lisa (Jason) Driscoll of Madison, SD; Amy (Steven) Peterson of Viborg, SD; Darcy (Jason) Kasdorf of Brookings, SD; grandchildren: Christopher Driscoll, James Driscoll, Mason Dommer, Madisyn Kasdorf, and Oliver Peterson; mother, Carletta Kilian of Gettysburg, SD; sisters: Cheryl (Gene) Dittus of Pine Haven, WY; Karen (Jim) Slunecka of Faulkton, SD; Janet (Larry) Trapp of Milbank, SD; brother, David (Julie) Kilian of Gettysburg, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

Deb was preceded in death by her father, Lorren Kilian; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Elmer and Bernice Pauli; paternal grandparents: Harry and Nora Kilian; maternal grandparents: Orville and Marie Vail.