Deborah Juliana Ksobiech

A Celebration of the Life of Deborah Juliana Ksobiech will be held at noon on Sunday, November 21, 2021 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home in Urbandale, Iowa. The event will be live streamed on the Caldwell Parrish website for those unable to attend. Deborah was born on October 28, 1950 to Adam and Irma Zupancic in Chicago, Illinois. Michael and Andrea were born a few years later. As a girl, Deborah was fond of her visits to her Grandmother, who taught her to cook and make strudel and potica. Deborah’s musical talents also started at an early age when she began singing in the church choir and playing both the piano and organ for many masses, weddings, and funerals. Deborah loved acting in school plays. She was the lead, Yum-Yum, in her eighth grade play, The Mikado. She also served as a candy striper her freshman year in high school at a local hospital, joining with a friend who would later go on to become the maid of honor at her wedding. In 1965, Deborah’s family moved to Berwyn, Illinois where she met the love of her life at Morton East High School. Despite the fact that she had been a lifelong White Sox fan, she fell in love with Tom Ksobiech, a lifelong Cubs fan. The two dated for almost five years and were married on November 20, 1971. The two began their lives together and were soon blessed with two children, Tom and Kristen. The family settled in Lisle, Illinois, where they would live for twenty years. Deborah loved hosting family gatherings - for holidays, birthdays, or just random summer Sundays. Nothing made her happier than the sounds of her home filled with laughter as her guests enjoyed her cooking and baking. Deborah continued her many acts of service by volunteering to teach the Religious Education program at St. Joan of Arc Parish, volunteering at Tom and Kristen’s schools, and helping at the Lisle Library. Tom and Deborah also sang together in the church choir. In 1997, due to Tom’s job change, the couple moved to Easton, Pennsylvania. There, Deborah was able to fulfill one of her lifelong ambitions. She saw the world through the eyes of an artist. She made countless afghans, hats, and wall hangings for family, friends, and charities. Sewing, painting, knitting, and crocheting were some of her favorite media. In 2014, Tom retired and the couple moved back to the Midwest, relocating to Urbandale, Iowa. This allowed Deborah the opportunity to spend much more time with both her children and grandchildren. Complications from diabetes eventually caused health problems, including the loss of her eyesight. Despite this, she never allowed her joy and love for her family to be diminished. On November 12, 2021, Deborah closed her eyes for the last time and was able to see again. She is survived by her husband of almost fifty years, Tom; her two children, Tom (Mary) and Kristen (Jeff); her four grandchildren, Thomas, Joseph, Julia, and Devin; and her sister, Andrea (Larry). Deborah’s family included many aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, and the countless friends that she made through every stage of her life. The family asks that those attending Deborah’s Celebration of Life wear bright, vibrant colors in lieu of black. Masks will be required