Debbie Sue Wiljanen

Debbie was born July 23, 1952 in Ishpeming to Robert and Charlotte (Schilling) Pekuri and graduated from Champion High School, Class of 1970. She was united in marriage to Dave Wiljanen on December 15, 1979 in Ishpeming and together they raised their two daughters in Humboldt Township.

Debbie was a secretary throughout her life, eventually retiring from her all-time favorite job at Lakeview Elementary School in 2015 after being employed there for many years. Debbie adored children and had a knack for making them giggle. Debbie always put children’s interests first, especially while serving on the NICE Community School Board for ten years.

Debbie completed airline school in Minneapolis (where she became a life-long Vikings fan), but soon thereafter, traded one dream to fulfill another–which was to become a mother. As a child, when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, Debbie responded, “to be a mother.” She said her greatest joy was being a mom and raising her two girls. She poured all her love and energy into this and strived to share a special bond with them, as she had shared with her own father.

Debbie was also a very talented seamstress, meticulously crafting matching outfits for herself and her girls, which they often wore to church. Debbie’s faith was strong. One of Emily’s earliest memories is coming downstairs in the morning and finding her mom curled up with a hot cup of coffee, reading her timeworn Bible.

Another of Debbie’s loves was music. She could always be found pleasantly humming a tune, no matter what she was doing. When she was a child, she and her siblings would sing songs for their family while Debbie played the piano. She competed in several recitals while in school. Later on, she taught lessons out of her home and played for church choirs.

Debbie always had a special connection with animals. She often reminisced about her horse, Flicka, and her dog, Reggie, along with several special kitties. In later years, chipmunks and songbirds garnered much affection from her–her jacket pockets always brimming with sunflower seeds, ready for an encounter with them.

After retirement, when she wasn’t outside feeding the chipmunks, and as long as “Gunsmoke” wasn’t on, Debbie enjoyed going on side-by-side rides with her husband and friends. They traversed the nearby areas, catching glimpses of wildlife. Debbie also enjoyed traveling to warmer climates. Erin cherishes memories of Moo’s frequent visits while she was living in Savannah, Georgia. Such times were filled with laughter, silliness and enjoying each other’s company.

Surviving are her loving husband, Dave Wiljanen; two daughters: Emily (Steve) Salmio of Marquette and Erin (Don Conrad) Wiljanen of Minnesota; two sisters: Arlene Martin of Missouri and Joan Schultz of Ishpeming; her brother, Mark (Linda) Pekuri of South Carolina; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Michael Pekuri; and a nephew, Freddie Martin.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 3rd at Koskey Funeral Home in Negaunee with Rev. Michael Holman officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Interment will take place in the Humboldt Township Cemetery. Debbie gave to many charitable organizations; we ask that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be directed in her memory to UPAWS (Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter) or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Debbie touched many lives and cherished life so much. She will be deeply missed. Her memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com