Debra received her Bachelor of Science degree in Broad-Field Home Economics Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and her M.Ed.- PD degree in Adult Education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.  She recently retired as Dean of Students at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College-Superior.

Debra and her husband Thomas currently live in Solon Springs, WI.  They have two grown sons and two grandchildren. Her hobbies include her Icelandic sheep farm, skiing, hiking, baking and clothing design.