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HOMESTEAD, Wis. -- Deborah Joyce (Beardslee) Fraker of Homestead, Wis., went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. Debbie was 74 years old. She passed away peacefully in the early morning hours at her daughter's home, in Kingsford, after a long 17-year struggle with Alzheimer's.
Debbie was born in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Nov. 7, 1951, to Marjorie (Rowe) Beardslee and Donald Beardslee. She was born a twin to her sister, Donna. She was the third-born daughter to a family of four girls and two boys. Throughout her childhood she lived in Hancock, Iron Mountain, and Holly, Mich. She attended Iron Mountain High School until her senior year, graduating from Holly High School in Holly.
She married her husband, David Fraker of Florence, Wis., on June 13, 1970, in Holly. He was the true love of her life, and she loved him with a devotion as if he was the only man on Earth. Dave and Debbie raised five children. Debbie loved being a homemaker and caring for her family. She taught us about Jesus and showed us what it meant to love others. She loved playing and singing Christian hymns, and music was a special part of our home.
Debbie was a born-again believer who loved Jesus wholeheartedly. At an early age, she gave her life to Christ at a church camp, and her faith became a cornerstone of who she was and how she lived. Her love for Jesus was reflected in the way she loved others. She was a great friend to many. Even when she had nothing to give, she gave anyway, offering her home, her food, or her time to anyone in need.
Her extraordinary capacity to love was beautifully modeled by her own mother, with whom she shared a deep and treasured bond. Debbie carried that same love into her relationships with all of her siblings, holding a special affection for each of them, while sharing an extraordinary and lifelong closeness with her identical twin, Donna. From the very beginning of their lives, Debbie and Donna shared a bond that was truly unique and remained one of the most precious relationships in Debbie's life.
Debbie had a special love for babies and children and was often known for having "a baby on her hip." Her love for children, including her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was a beautiful reflection of her tender heart. She was a proud supporter of Right to Life and deeply cherished the value and dignity of every human life.
Debbie loved swimming, camping, riding her bicycle and was a Green Bay Packers fan, and she had a special affection for cows and for animals of all kinds. She also was a passionate believer in natural, healthy living. She put this wisdom into action when she saved the life of our family horse using natural remedies and gentle care.
Our mother and father shared 20 years of marriage before their paths took them in different directions, and they later divorced. During this time, she worked at Northpointe Behavioral Healthcare System as a community support aide, caring for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She loved the individuals she cared for and the people she worked with, treating them with the same kindness, patience, and love she gave to her own family. Ten years passed, during which time God was at work in both of our parent's lives. Our father came to know Christ and was saved, a transformation that deeply touched the course of their lives. When illness came and he needed her, our mother was immediately at his side. Their love, faith, and the grace of God brought them together again, and they remarried on March 9, 2002, at Immanuel Baptist Church in Kingsford, choosing to spend their remaining years together.
For 17 years, our father lovingly cared for our mother through her long journey with Alzheimer's. He honored her deepest wish -- to remain at home, surrounded by the people she loved and, in the place where she was most comfortable. Day after day, he devoted himself to her care with patience, tenderness, and unwavering love, allowing her to remain at home with her family throughout her illness.
He was not alone in this journey. Our sister, Jenna, was a particularly special and devoted daughter, giving generously of her time, love, and strength to care for our mother. Her devotion was a beautiful reflection of the bond they shared. Other daughters, family members, and dear friends also surrounded our mother with love and support, each helping in their own way to make it possible for her to remain at home.
Because of this circle of love, our mother was able to spend her final years where she wanted to be -- at home, surrounded by family, familiar faces, and the people who cherished her most. The care she received was more than a responsibility; it was a lasting expression of love, honoring her wishes and the life she shared with those around her. We "love you lots," Momma. We will miss you greatly. Until we meet again.
Debbie leaves behind her husband, David Fraker of Homestead; two sons, David W. Fraker of Florence and Daniel (Cheryl Mccullough) Fraker of Little Chute, Wis.; three daughters, Jennifer (Randy) Gardepy of Kingsford, Julie (David) Pataconi of Kingsford, and Jessica (Garrett Laurence) Fraker of Kingsford; her grandchildren, Samantha Stewart, Shannon (David McCowen) Hammond-McKinstry, Monique Johnson, Jasmine Fraker, Sondra Fraker, Brent (Theresa) Pataconi, Kylie (Bruce) Dunn, Bradley Pataconi, Brayden Pataconi, Brennan Pataconi, Malachi Laurence; many special great-grandchildren, Kelly McCowen, Anna Hammond, Bailey McKinstry, Charity McCowen, Destiny McCowen, Ethan McCowen, Anola Case, Kabrea Hintz, Raymond Smith, Kamilia Kearns, Jaxon Johnson, Rose Fraker, Violet Fraker, Carsyn Pataconi, Peytyn Pataconi, Gabriel Dunn, and Aubrey Pataconi; two brothers, Richard Beardslee of Hale, Mich., and Randy (Lynne) Beardslee of Davison, Mich.; two sisters, Donna Beardslee of Pace, Fla., and Patricia (David) Ortiz of Austin, Texas; brother-in-law Robert Fraker of Aurora, Wis.; and sisters-in-law Ellen Roehrborn of Marshfield, Wis., and Chris (John) Zillmer of Green Bay, Wis. She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and her special friend Denise Derks.
Debbie is preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Marjorie Beardslee, and her husband's parents, Henry and Elizabeth Fraker; a sister, Janet King; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Betty Ann (Timothy) Jeffords; a sister-in-law, Linda Fraker, and a brother-in-law, Roger Roehrborn; a grandson, Jaden Fraker; a granddaughter, Amanda Hintz; and her special friend, Ann Swan.
Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with Pastor Kevin Sullivan officiating. Burial will be in the Homestead-Aurora Cemetery.
Condolences may be expressed to the family of Deborah J. Fraker online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.
The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.