Debora Pieternella Straatman Jacobsen

Debbie’s favorite job was working as a dental assistant. Debbie also worked in various service capacities as a hotel matron, a clerk and teller at the Newspaper Agency, as well as a lunch lady for the Salt Lake School District where she retired from Indian Hills Elementary. For a number of years Debbie helped her children deliver newspapers and also spent many years working for the University of Utah in concessions for the Huntsman Center and Rice Eccles Stadium.  

In her youth, Debbie loved sports, camping and hiking. She played the coronet in high school and had a deep love for music. She was a capable seamstress and wowed everyone with her sense of fashion. In the 1960s her hair was the crowning achievement of her beauty. Debbie loved flowers and plants which brought life into her home just like her personality.  

Debbie served in many callings for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints including the primary, as Young Woman’s president and Relief Society president. She also served as a visiting teacher and chorister. Debbie and Daniel were Temple and Family History Service Missionaries at the Layton Family Search Center. She loved service through temple work. Debbie’s highest calling was that of a mother and spouse. She had a nurturing personality and made a connection to the children she met. Debbie kept many deep friendships during her lifetime. Her kind manner and ability to understand and show love helped endear her to all she met. Debbie enjoyed caring for those around her and nursed her mother during the last few years of her mother’s life.  Her positive outlook and loving manner helped those around her become happy.  

Debbie is survived by her siblings: Albert (Drew) Straatman, Lee (Mel) Sudweeks, Pearl VanHulten, Daniel Straatman, Robert (Marsha) Straatman, Yvonne (Mark) Preece, children: Matthew (Alicia) Jacobsen, Heidi (Gary) Brown, Shalise Jacobsen, Andrea (Nick) Christensen, Andrew (Marnie) Jacobsen, and Camille (Phil) Dalton; 18 Grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.  

She is preceded in death by her spouse Daniel, parents, and brother Wayne Straatman.  

The family would like to thank the staff of Escalante at Coventry for their loving service and care for Debbie and Dan. We would like to thank Jenna the hospice nurse and all the aides who helped mom feel more comfortable in her final hours. We are grateful for the hours of service and companionship from their local LDS Branch in Cottonwood Heights.