"I was so sorry to hear of Deb's passing! She and I went to Waldorf together. She was from Wykoff and I was from Lanesboro, so we sometimes shared rides home. I will remember her welcoming smile and how kind she was. Sending my sympathy to her family. You're in my thoughts and prayers. Joyce (Solberg) Landsom "
In loving memory of
Debra Brown
December 21, 1953 - September 9, 2018
Debra JoAnn (Vomhof) Brown of Rochester passed away on September 9, 2018 at her home after a courageous 17-year battle with cancer.
Deb was born December 21, 1953 in Racine, MN to Claire and Dorene (Kohlmeyer) Vomhof. She attended St. John's Lutheran School in Wykoff, MN and graduated from Wykoff High School in 1972. She earned her associate degree at Waldorf College in Forest City, IA in 1974. Deb began working at Methodist Hospital in June of 1974, spending her entire career at Mayo until retiring in November of 2014. She married Jim Brown on June 4, 1988 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN and was finally awarded the cherished title of "Mom" five years later at age 39.
She is survived by her husband, Jim; daughters, Jessica of Rochester, Jenny of Milwaukee, WI and son, Andrew of Rochester; mother, Dorene Vomhof of Rochester; sisters, Dawn (Glen) Halvorsen of Lakeville, MN, Marion (Dan) Vomhof of La Mesa, CA, Muriel (Don) Vomhof of West St. Paul, MN and Grace Adams of Eagan, MN; sister-in-law, Greta Vomhof of Jacksonville, FL; brothers, Larry (Deb) Vomhof of Chatfield, MN, Dean (Cheri) Vomhof of Gillette, WY, Paul (Linda) Vomhof of Wykoff, MN and many aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her brother, Lynn, and her father, Claire.
The funeral will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church at 11:00 am on Friday, September 14, 2018. Visitation will be at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home from 4:00-7:00 pm on September 13, 2018 with a memorial service at 7:30 pm following the visitation. Additional visitation will be held from 9:30 am until time of the funeral on Friday, September 14, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church. In lieu of temporary flowers, create a permanent memory in Deb's honor. Say "I love you," smile at a stranger, listen with your heart, and hold your family close, each and every day.
Private interment will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens.
To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Tributes
"When I had my knee surgery at Methodist yrs ago one of the first people I saw was Deb there in her scrubs letting me know she took drs supplies up for my surgery! I can still picture her in her cap! And all the family events of my grandkids that the Brown family was included in! Watching and talking about how big all the kids were getting! Etc, I will miss Deb a lot but know she is looking over all of us! My prayers are with all of you!?"
"Deb and I went to high school together in the Class of '72. We would only see each other at the reunions but it was like we were never apart and still only days out of high school. She was always cheerful and was a great inspiration to all who knew her. Earth is short one angel as Heaven has another. God Bless your family."
"Jim and Family, Although I had only known Deb for a short time, I can honestly say that she lived to love and cherish her family, and honor her God. The world has lost a sweet, sweet soul. With sympathy, Deb Streiff"
"Jim and family, Sorry for your loss.I worked with Deb back in the early 80's at Methodist and she was always smiling and laughing and was the kindest most caring person I knew.I have great memories of my time working with her.She made everyones day better.Our prayers are with you. Gary Schueller "
"Dear Jim and family So sorry for your loss. I worked with Deb for many years. She was always such a sweetheart and brightened everyone's day that she came across. She will be deeply missed. "
"Dear Jim, Jessica, Andrew and Jenny and all of Deb's family I am truly sorry to hear about your loss. May God shine a perpetual light on all of you and hold you in the palm of his hand... He will help guide you. Mark Kuisle"
"Jim and Family, Thoughts and prayers are with you all. JoAnn (Friedt) Eidem "
"Dear Jim, Jessica, Andrew and Jenny and all of Deb's family, our family is so sad about Deb's passing. She was too young and too kind and you are all such a nice family to have to experience such grieving and loss. Our prayers go out to you all. Deb will be greatly missed physically but she will be there in spirit for all of you. God bless you. Monnie Overkamp and the Rosenberg family"
"Muriel and Grace, I'm sorry to hear about your loss of your sister Debra. I was also saddened to learn of your brother Lynn's passing a few years back and your father not long ago. (I had moved out of state and lost touch with most of you). Yet somehow the Fillmore County circle finds a way and I had the pleasure of being at Mayo High School where your niece graduated last year. I saw her name and immediately knew where her roots were from. I let her know that I had a deep respect for the Vomhof family...all good and decent people. God's peace to the both or you and the family."
"I worked with Deb many years ago at Methodist Hodputal. There wasn?t a day that went by that she didn?t have a smile on her face, a kind word to say and a pleasure to be around. Prayers to her loving family. "
"Our dear Deb is at peace in the arms of her Savior. Deb fought so hard and I truly believe she did that not for herself but for family and friends she loved and cherished so much. Deb didn?t want us to have to hurt. That is who she was!! I will miss you and look forward to the day we are again united. "
"Our dear Deb is at peace in the arms of her Savior. Deb fought so hard and I truly believe she did that not for herself but for family and friends she loved and cherished so much. Deb didn?t want us to have to hurt. That is who she was!! I will miss you and look forward to the day we are again united. "
"Her sister, Dawn, and I went through elementary school together. I spent many wonderful hours out at their farm playing with the older children, including Deb. Recently, we have been friends on Facebook. She will be missed by many, but only for a time, only until we are all reunited with our friends and loved ones. See you later, Deb."
"We at Samaritan Bethany cared for Deb's father before he passed back in February of this year . Deb would often come to see him and she would walk in with a huge smile and express her gratitude to ALL of us for the cares we were providing. She came one day after her father's passing with flowers for us in his honor and to flash that gorgeous smile one last time for us all to see. Thanks, Deb for the gift you were and for the example you will continue to be. To Deb's family, We at Samaritan Bethany want to express our deepest sympathies for this great loss. May God fill you with the peace he promises. Fondly, Jeanne Walentiny and the staff on 6th Neighborhood "
"I met Deb thru Mothers of Multiples when her twins were very young. I too remember her smile. My thoughts and prayers go out to Jim and the kids."
"I was a pharmacist at Methodist and will always remember Deb's vibrant smile and her love for her family and friends. I think of her often when I make her recipe for Danish Puff Pastry. Praying for strength and peace for the family. Patti Foss Bourgault"
"I worked as a Pharmacy Tech at Methodist and Deb work in Central Supply. Not a day went by that she always had a smile on her face and Always asked how my family was! I still remember when she found out she was going to be a Mom!! It was the greatest joy in her life!! To Jim and Deb's children, you are in my thoughts and Prayers & know she will always be with you!"
"This is your cousin Donna Mae. We are praying for you as you walk through this season of grief. Knowing Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord makes a huge difference. HIS Peace be with you."
"Started at Methodist in 1984. We had a great group of people that were not only coworkers, but friends. Within the past year, I was playing music at a local venue when I saw her bright smile across the room. We were able to share a conversation that left me uplifted, positive, and grateful! Later, as I was playing a song, she waved and flashed a smile on her way out. Kevin Kleist (Methodist co-worker)"
"Deb was a treasure to everyone who knew her. She was one of the most authentic people I have known. She was sweet, honest, hard-working, loving, kind, strong, brave....I was blessed to call her my friend. "
" I worked with Deb at the Methodist Hospital in 1974 until 1978 and we kept in touch over the years! She was the most beautiful, thoughtful, caring person I have ever met. She loved her family and friends and spoke of them fondly. I was honored to have known her and her kindness will be with me always. She will always have a special place in my heart as a dear friend. All my love to her family during this hard time, and know that she now sits at the table with Jesus and it is her time to be served. Fondly with Love / Bren Joyce from Rio Rancho, NM"
"I will always think of Deb with a big, welcoming smile and a kind heart. She was fun, loving, caring and a pleasure to know. Jim, Jessica, Andrew, and Jenny please know that she cherished you above all else, and was very proud of all of you. You truly blessed her life! Sincerely, Robin Fields (friend and Methodist co-worker) "