Debra Jane Vigness, age 71, passed away on Sunday, June 22, 2025 at the Avera Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. The battle is over; the victory of eternal life is won! Memorial services will begin at 12:30 PM on Friday, June 27, 2025 at Hilltop United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls. A visitation with family present will begin at 5:00 PM on Thursday, June 26th, 2025 at Hilltop United Methodist Church with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM.
Debra Jane Whipkey was born on January 20, 1954 in Dell Rapids, SD to Floyd H. and Marilyn (Lester) Whipkey. She was raised in the Trent/Egan/Flandreau area and graduated from Flandreau High School in 1972. Deb continued her education in Sioux Falls at the Sioux Valley school of nursing. Deb graduated in 1974 as a Registered Nurse and then spent over 40-years working at Avera. Her passion was womens and childrens health. She spent many nights and weekends teaching childbirth classes and managed the OB clinic which provided prenatal care to the underserved population.
While in high school, Deb began dating the love of her life, Dan Vigness. The couple were united in marriage on June 8, 1974 in Trent, SD. From this loving union four children were born, Jyll, Nathan, Andrew and Kayla. Debs family was her greatest blessing, and her grandchildren, the joy of her life! Deb was a passionate servant of the lord, and her faith stood as her foundation. She told her family that she wants her legacy to be one of faith and stewardship. Her love of God was also very evident as she and Dan were members of Hilltop United Methodist church where they volunteered for many years.
Deb spent many years as a teaching leader in the childrens program at Bible Study Fellowship. The BSF program made a huge impact on her life. Deb was a dedicated friend to many with numerous friend groups that she adored. She loved to travel with friends and family including cruises, road trips, camping adventures, shopping trips and finding any body of water for her to put her feet in!
After Dans passing in 2013 she made it her passion to make memories with her family through travel. Through these travel experiences we have fostered a strong family bond that will continue in her memory.
Grateful for having shared her life are her four children, Jyll (Troy) Luettel, Sioux Falls, SD, Nathan (Brooke) Vigness, Gilbert, AZ, Andrew (Shelly Howard) Vigness, Chandler, AZ, and Kayla (Jesse) Ratzsch, Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, Danielle (Vaughn Irlbeck) Luettel and Madelyn Luettel, Viera Vigness, Vance Vigness, Paxson Vigness, Jack Dietz, Kessler Ratzsch, Nora Ratzsch and Ada Ratzsch; her mother, Marilyn Whipkey, Sioux Falls, SD; two brothers, Rev. Barry (Deb) Whipkey, Avon, SD and Kent (Brenda) Whipkey, Flandreau, SD; one sister, Jodi (Brett) Ketcham, Sioux Falls, SD; sister-in-law, Carol (Marty) Engquist, Sioux Falls, SD; brother-in-law, Dwight (Lisa) Vigness, Billings, MT; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Dean Vigness in 2013; and her father, Floyd Whipkey; and in-laws, Sylvan and Iona Vigness.
Debs family would like to thank the Avera Home Hospice team as well as Dougherty Hospice House for their compassionate care leading Deb to her eternal home.
Leave a Reply