Deborah “Deb” Tschiggfrie, 75, of Dubuque, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m., with a parish wake service at 7:45 p.m., Thursday, February 12, 2026, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 13, 2026, at the church with the Very Rev. Brian Dellaert officiating, with recitation of the rosary beginning at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Click here to view the livestream of the funeral mass: https://vimeo.com/event/5719679

Deb was born on July 26, 1950, to Carl and Lela (Graham) Bisanz in Waterloo, IA. Growing up on Nevada Street in Dubuque as the oldest of six kids, she learned early on about the importance of and the joy to be found in family life. After graduating from Visitation Academy, she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1973 and began a 33-year career teaching 7th grade math at Washington Junior High. It was there that she met David, who shared an adjoining classroom with her. The two were united in marriage on June 14, 1980 at St. Joe’s, where they have been active members and volunteers ever since. She served on the liturgy committee, taught children’s liturgy, CCD, & RCIA, led CEW weekends, and helped with the church Scrip program. St. Joe’s was also where Dave and Deb found lifelong companions in a faith sharing group. For three decades, they met every month, sharing life’s joys and sorrows and supporting one another in living out their faith.

Deb found many outlets for her creativity: sewing, quilting, cross stitching, and gardening. She loved cooking and baking; she amassed an impressive cookbook collection and enjoyed decorating cakes for any special occasion. Deb put her creative talents and organizational skills to use doing and making things for other people. In her leisure time, she was an avid reader and enthusiastic Sudoku solver, and delighted in playing cards and other games with family and friends. In retirement, Deb and Dave discovered an affinity for travel, being fortunate to take cruises together over the span of a decade and culminating in a family trip with their children to Europe in 2018.

But her greatest calling was being a loving, faith-filled mother and wife. Deb prioritized family time and sharing a meal together each day. She deftly managed the household, for years maintaining “The List” to keep track of everything that needed to be done. She made many personal sacrifices to ensure that her family felt safe, supported, and loved. Deb strived to live her life as an expression of her thanks to God for the gift of family and friends. Her family is overwhelmed with gratitude to have been blessed with this extraordinary woman who has inspired them to live authentically, to believe deeply, and to love with their whole hearts.

Deb is survived by her loving husband, David; children, Sarah of Broomfield, CO, and Jonathan of Dubuque; one grandchild, Sidney; siblings, Diane Backes, Donna Bisanz, Gary (Alice) Bisanz, and Ellen (Don) Kraus; brother-in-law, Jon Brachman; sister-in-law, Sue Scheffert; and many nieces and nephews.

Deb was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Amy Brachman; nephew, Joe Bisanz; and brothers-in-law, William “Bill” Backes, and Ronald “Ron” Scheffert.

Deb’s family wishes to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Hospice of Dubuque and the skilled care unit at Stonehill. Your kindness and compassion was a great comfort and will never be forgotten.

Memorials may be given to St. Joseph the Worker Church or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

The Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Funeral Home and Crematory is entrusted with arrangements.