Deborah Lee Frates, 72, long-time Brule resident, passed away on Friday, November 18, at Gothenburg Health. An aggressive form of breast cancer returned and ended her life too quickly.
Deb was born at St. Mary's Hospital in North Platte on December 29, 1949, to Leo and Marian (Perlinger) Langmacher. She lived in Sarben, Nebraska, until 3rd grade, then moved with her family to a farm southeast of Brule. Deb attended East Vail Country School (where her future mother-in-law taught), and her 8th-grade graduation was held at the Ogallala Auditorium with other local country schools. Her family moved to the Village of Brule in 1965, and she graduated from Brule High School in 1968. She took business classes at Kearney State College for two years before returning to Brule in 1970.
Deb was the Village of Brule Clerk for 17 years, where she modernized operations and billing processes. She then began a new position as the secretary of staff development at ESU (Educational Service Unit) 16 and retired after 16 years of dedicated service.
She celebrated her 1st communion at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sutherland. Her dress was also worn by both of her daughters and granddaughters for their first communion ceremonies, spanning nearly 60 years. Deb was a long-time member of Saint Luke's Catholic Church, and her class was the first to be confirmed in the newly-built Saint Luke's Church in 1960. In the same church, she was united in marriage to John Robert Frates on November 27, 1970. All three of Deb's children, Niki, Anne, and Mike, were all baptized in Saint Luke's Church. In later years, Deb continued to deepen her faith through a weekly bible study with Brule friends.
Outside of Deb's career and family activities, she enjoyed being an active member of her community. She was a founding member of the Villagers Club of Brule, which just celebrated its 50th anniversary. She spent over 40 years as the co-director of the Brule Alumni Association and recently served as secretary for the Brule Cemetery Board.
Deb had a special talent for flower gardening, beautifying her community, and preparing her home for every holiday, gathering, and celebration. She was an avid reader and loved to travel. Special trip locations included Alaska, Germany, California to visit her son, a 50th wedding anniversary trip to Branson, and a family reunion trip to Washington Island, Wisconsin.
Deb loved watching Nebraska Husker Volleyball, exercise class with local friends, live concerts over the years, and music featured on KOMA out of Oklahoma City, which she listened to as a teen on a transistor radio gifted by her father. Her favorite song was "Cherish" by The Association, a theme that resonated through her in many moments with family and friends, especially her children and grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband of 52 years, John Frates of Brule; children, Niki (Aaron) Salomon of Gothenburg, NE, Anne (Zach) Even of Lander, WY, Mike Frates of Omaha, NE; four grandchildren, Avery and Andrew Salomon, Adlyn and Brooks Even; sister, Lynda Hinrichs; along with many other relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be designated to the Deb Frates Memorial Fund and Brent's Place in Aurora, Colorado. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the Mass will be streamed live.
A memorial gathering will be from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, November 25, 2022, at Brule Community Hall.
Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at 10:00 am MST at Saint Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala with Father Bryan Ernest as Celebrant. Interment in Brule Cemetery following a church luncheon.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Prairie Hills Funeral Home.