Deborah Zarecky Ekern, 55, passed away March 19, 2014 under hospice care in Houston, TX. Deborah was born January 15, 1959 in San Antonio, TX to Richard and Helen (Pitman) Zarecky. The family moved to Colman, SD and she attended school in Colman graduating in 1977. Deb married Dave Ekern on July 7, 1977. She went to SDSU in Brookings and received a secretarial science certificate. Deb worked at Farmers State Bank in bookkeeping. She later managed the student bank at the Flandreau Indian School and from there worked in the cage at Royal River Casino. Deb was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church and taught Sunday school. She was also a Brownie leader, Jaycette and played in the Flandreau Alumni Band. Deb loved to read, knit, sew, dance, ride motorcycles and was fiercely independent. She also loved racing 2/3 of the time and hated it 1/3 of the time. Deb was diagnosed with Huntington's disease but still maintained her independence throughout as she moved all across the country.

Deb is survived by two daughters, Samantha Headrick, Flandreau, Pamela Ekern, Brookings and two grandchildren, Kennedy and Carson Headrick. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Richard.

Funeral services will be 11:00 am Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Flandreau, with burial in Colman Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-7 pm Monday at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Flandreau.