Deborah Stehlik, 64, of Austin, Minnesota, died peacefully on Friday, June 3, 2016, with loved ones by her side at Golden Living Center East in Rochester, Minnesota, after fighting cancer.

Deborah Stehlik was born April 13, 1952, in Rochester, Minnesota, at Saint Mary’s Hospital she was the daughter to Marvin and Mary Erath. Deborah was raised by Clifford and Verna Boyum. She grew up in Kasson, Minnesota. On Nov. 28, 1981, Deborah married her lifelong love Richard Neil Stehlik at the South Zumbro Lutheran Church, in Kasson, Minnesota. Richard and Deborah raised Richard’s son together and later adopted their daughter, Janeil Linn Stehlik, in Chatfield, Minnesota. As their children got older, Richard and Deborah decided to move to Austin, Minnesota.

Deborah had many health issues which brought Richard and Deborah back to the Rochester area where they originally met many years later to be closer to Mayo Clinic for more frequent and prompt medical needs. She was a fighter and seemed to beat almost anything; however, her second fight with cancer took her life. Deborah was cared for at Golden Living Center East in Rochester, Minnesota, until she passed away.

During her lifetime she always put herself in the position to help others. She was a nursing assistant, Sunday school teacher, volunteered in everything her children and granddaughters’ participated in. She and Richard were foster parents for many years to children who either had special needs or just needed a place in their home for safety.

She loved hosting all of the holidays at their home with all family, friends, and walk-ins welcome at any time of the gatherings. Deborah had many activities she enjoyed doing, such as: reading, cooking, sewing, knitting, needle point, crocheting, painting, scrapbooking, and being with the ones she loved. She attended all of the concerts and activities of her own children and three granddaughters and her nieces and nephews. Later on in life, she also attended these types of activities of her great-nieces and great-nephews and any other children she got to know.

Even after the internet became popular, Deborah still went the old-fashioned way of mailing out birthday cards to as many of her family as she could. She attended weddings, baptisms and funerals of everyone she was connected to. If you were blessed to know Deborah — whether it was meeting her just once or for a lifetime — you will remember her smile, her laughter and her hugs.

Deborah is survived by her husband, Richard Stehlik; son, James Stehlik; daughter, Janeil Stehlik; and three granddaughters: Iris, Lilly and Victoria, plus many extended family members.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June, 11, 2016, at South Zumbro Lutheran Church in Kasson, Minnesota.