Deborah Svien

Deborah Kay Svien

June 16, 1949 – July 19, 2018

Deborah Kay Svien, age 69, of Hastings, died Thursday, July 19, 2018, at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, Minnesota.

Deb was born in Niles on June 16, 1949 to Harry and Holly Petersen. The youngest of five children, she often spoke of the many times she was a tagalong for her sibling’s dates and the various other situations that came with her place in her family. Deb was independent and strong willed - traits she carried throughout her life.

After graduating high school, Deb moved to Minneapolis, MN to attend school to become a medical lab technician. It was during her time in Minneapolis that she found out she was going have her first child, Lisa, after which she married Dick Johnson. Dick and Deb moved to Northfield, MN after the birth of their son Matt and would later divorce. She later married Rodney Svien and moved to Dennison, MN had her third child, Jeffrey, and soon after settled in Northfield.

Deb had a passion for teaching and spent the latter portion of her life focused on teaching and training medical assistants. Deb also enjoyed reading and was an avid and proud Vikings fan and it is no secret that Sunday schedules revolved around their games. Her love of baking was appreciated by many, particularly her annual cache of Christmas cookies. She will be dearly missed by her loving family, whom she enjoyed spending time with and loved deeply. The love she gave will now endure through her family and friends.

Deb is survived by her children Lisa (Jon) Malecha of Northfield, Matt (Dorothy) Johnson of Jensen Beach, FL, Jeffrey (Lindsay) Svien of Glen Ellyn, IL; grandchildren Bryce Malecha, Ryan Malecha, Madeline Svien; brother Jerry (Kathy) Petersen of Portage, MI; friend Gregg Zavitz of Edina; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Holly Petersen; sisters Shirley (Jim) McCrory, Marjorie (Dick) Hover; brother Jim (Bonnie) Petersen; and grandson Paul Richard Malecha.

Interment will be at 12noon on Thursday, July 26, 2018 at Mission Hills Cemetery, Niles. A luncheon will follow in the Niles Elks Club. Funeral services were held on Monday, July 23, 2018, at Bierman Funeral Home, in Northfield, MN. HALBRITTER WICKENS FUNERAL HOME 615 E. Main St. is assisting the family with arrangements.

Condolences for the family may be made at www.halbritterwickens.com.