Deborah 'Debby' Huckaby
Deborah Gail "Debby" Huckaby (née Schwan), 73, passed away on February 14, 2025, at Ava's House hospice in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, after an almost year-long battle with a "mysterious" disease.
Debby’s husband, Dennis, who passed away in 2024, will be buried alongside her at Sunset Memorial Gardens, and he will be honored with military rites at the interment.
Debby Gail Schwan was born on May 17, 1951, in Aberdeen, South Dakota to James and Ruby (Walterman) Schwan. She graduated from Roncalli High School in Aberdeen as part of the class of 1969 and later attended the Stewart School of Hairstyling.
Debby had a creative spirit that shone through in everything she did. From a young age, she loved to sew-making her own clothes as a teenager and later crafting doll clothes for her daughters with love. Her passion for crafts left those around her with countless handmade treasures that will be cherished forever. She found joy in family game nights filled with laughter and spent hours working on puzzles or getting lost in a good book. Above all else, she treasured time with her great-grandchildren.
Her faith was the foundation of her life. A devoted member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rapid City, Debby spent Thursday mornings in adoration with Jesus. She prayed the rosary daily and kept a list close by for those she held in special prayer.
Debby's love for her family was fierce and unwavering-she was happiest when surrounded by them whether playing games, shopping together, or simply enjoying each other's company. Her warmth and devotion will be deeply missed but forever remembered by those who knew her best.
Family was at the heart of Debby's life. She is survived by her beloved mother, Ruby Schwan; her children, Sandra (Bryan) Carrier of Rapid City, Nicole Carrier of Rapid City, Trevor Huckaby of Sioux Falls, and Shaun Huckaby of Rapid City; and her bonus son, Robert Carrier of Colorado Springs. She was a cherished grandmother to Hayley (Dylan Savage), William, and Alexis Bohndorf of Rapid City; Cayden and Kyah Carrier of Rapid City; Noah, Lucas, Jonah, and Everlee Carrier of Rapid City; Abby, TJ, and Michael Huckaby of Aberdeen; Bella Cramer of Rapid City; Chloe and Zoe Huckaby and Cashlynn Stanley of Rapid City; and bonus grandchildren Jacob Hubley; and Ashley and Brittney McKee. As "GiGi," she adored her great-grandchildren: Sterling, Alexander, and Christopher Savage of Rapid City and Antonette Huckaby of Aberdeen.
She is also survived by her brothers Daryl (Deb) Schwan and Darius (Kim) Schwan of Aberdeen and Darwin Schwan of Arizona; as well as her niece Melissa Schwan and her family and nephews James, Eric, Adam, and Joshua Schwan and their families.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Dennis Huckaby; her father, James C. Schwan; grandchildren DJ and Raymond Huckaby; mother-in-law, Nona Ziemann; along with both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who went before her.