Debra G. Etter

Debra G. Etter,50, of Washington, passed away on February 24, 2025, in St. Louis. Mrs. Etter, daughter of Winford German and Phyllis nee York, was born on March 6, 1974, in Poplar Bluff, MO. She received her education from Malden High School, where she was the Valedictorian of her graduating class. On May 30, 2009, she was united in marriage to Kenneth Etter in Washington.

Debra had a passion for learning and continued her education to benefit herself as well as those whom she taught.  She received her Masters Degree in Education from Southeast Missouri State University where she received a minor in Music.  She went on to receive her Masters Degree in Theology from Loyola University in New Orleans, Masters in Specialty Reading from Missouri Baptist University and finally her Masters in Library Science from the University of Missouri, Columbia. 

While in college at Southeast Missouri State University she was a member of the Southeast Missouri State University Golden Eagles Marching Band.  She was also a member of Sigma Alpha Iota Women’s Music Fraternity and in 1995 was selected as the “Sweetheart” of the Phi Mu Alpha Men’s Music Fraternity.  She was also an active volunteer at the Southeast Missouri State University Newman Center and it was during her time in college that she made a Profession of Faith and entered the Catholic Church.

Debra Etter devoted over 25 of service as a teacher.  She taught at St. Theresa Catholic School in Glennonville, MO, Mathews Elementary School in Matthews, MO, Our Lady Catholic School in Festus, MO, and Clark-Vitt Elementary / Prairie Dell Elementary School in Union, MO.  It was over the past 10 years at both Clark-Vitt and Prairie Dell Elementary Schools that she was able to achieve her dream of becoming the school librarian.  She was able to live and pass on her love and passion for reading to all the students she had over the years.

Besides her love of reading, she had a passion for music and travel.  She has enjoyed many concerts and had quite an extensive music collection including every album by her favorite musician, Vince Gill.  She also loved to travel and has been to over 30 states on vacation, several cruises and this past summer she enjoyed her dream cruise with her husband and close friends to Alaska. 

A special word of thanks to her closest friends, affectionately known as “The Crones”, who have been by her side for many decades and through her journey with cancer.  Thank you to Sebrina Glenn, Carmel Dare, Jennie Brakensiek, and Robin Koetting who were with her to the end; she loved you as sisters and has so many happy memories and adventures over the years.  

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Bill and Wilma York, Jack and Bertha German, and mother-in-law, Joellen Etter.

Among her survivors are her husband, Kenneth Etter of Washington; parents, Winford and Phyllis German of Malden, MO; two siblings, Carol German of Lafe, Arkansas, Roy German and wife Heather of Gideon, MO, Sean Scott and wife Courtney of Sikeston, MO, and Alice Scott of Malden, MO;father-in-law, James Etter and wife Kathy of Union; In-laws, Mike Etter and wife Michelle of Washington, Jeff Etter and wife Lynn of Pacific, Gina Etter of Union, Greg Etter of Union, and Dana Blessing and husband Paul of Wentzville; nephews and nieces, Robbie German of Cape Girardeau, Mellissa German of Malden, Kelsi German of Gideon, Keith Scott of Sikeston, Hayes Scott of Sikeston, Briley Couch of Sikeston, Allison Etter of Pacific, Ethan Etter of Washington, Lukas Etter of Washington, Martha Etter of Washington, Jacob Blessing of Wentzville, and Ashley Blessing of Wentzville; other relatives and many friends.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025, from 3-7 p.m. at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 3, 2025, at the St. Francis Borgia Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Prairie Dell Elementary Library Fund in the Union School District.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Debra G. Etter, please visit our floral store.