Deborah A. Roach passed away on July 29, 2022 in Des Moines, Iowa. She was born Dec. 25, 1934 in West Union, Iowa to Lorenz E. and Mabel E. (Dummermuth) Schatz. Debby grew up in West Union and went on to graduate from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She married Patrick Joseph Roach on Sept. 8, 1956. They raised four children together and enjoyed 48 years of marriage until his death in 2005.
Debby was talented at handiwork, skilled at quilting, tatting, and needlepoint, but her passion was knitting. She knit blankets, family Christmas stockings, sweaters, and donated hundreds of hats to premature babies in neonatal intensive care units. Debby had a curious and inquisitive nature. She loved keeping up with the news. The television was constantly tuned to MSNBC, CNN or the local news, and she clipped many a Des Moines Register article she thought would be of interest to others. She loved all animals and had several beloved pets over the years. She kept the neighborhood squirrels and birds well fed, always with a guide book nearby to identify bird species, though she usually knew them without consulting it. Debby was content staying home in the house that she and Pat built over 40 years ago. She enjoyed collecting recipes despite the fact she did not like to cook. She preferred to spend her time having long chats with family and friends, getting all the detailed information on what was going on in their lives. At family weddings she was often spotted on the dance floor doing the Macarena.
Debby was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Patrick, son Shawn Michael Roach, grandson Drew Ryan Haase, and sister Diane Johnston.
She is survived by her two daughters, Kelly (Don) Haase of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Julie (Mark) Sundermeier of Omaha, Neb., son Todd Roach of Des Moines, sister Rosemary (Hugh) Drake, and sister-in-law Elizabeth (Lane) Ash. Debby was grandma to 11 grandchildren; Bridgett (Sundermeier) Svoboda, Michael Sundermeier, Drew Haase, Daniel Sundermeier, Darby (Haase) Seymour, Megan Sundermeier, Kyle and Keane Haase, Clancy (Haase)Keller, and Haley and Connor Roach, as well as eight great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to acknowledge Dr. Kevin Cunningham and his staff at the Iowa Clinic for their years of excellent care, and Dr. Rori Mankins and the skilled critical care nursing staff at Methodist Hospital who cared for Debby in her final days.
A funeral service in honor of Debby's life will be held August 5th, 2022 at 10:30AM at Holy Name Catholic Church (128 N Walnut St, West Union, IA). Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery in West Union, IA.