Debra Brothers, 66, of Thief River Falls, MN, passed to her rest on Friday, January 16, 2026 at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 23, 2026 at Open Arms Christian Fellowship, 401 S. St. Paul Avenue, in Thief River Falls, MN, with Pastor Darrel Lindensmith officiating.

Visitation will take place Thursday, January 22, from 6:30 PM until 7:30 PM at Open Arms Christian Fellowship and one hour before the funeral at Open Arms Christian Fellowship.

Debra Lynn Brothers was born on May 30, 1959, in Kenosha, WI, to Ronald and Suzanne (Banfe) Meekma. When she was 6 months old, they moved to Waukegan, IL, where they lived until 1970. It was then that her parents decided that they wanted to raise their children in a rural setting and moved to Newfolden, MN, where Ronald’s brother, Glenn lived.

Debra attended grades 5-8 at the Thief River Falls Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School. After graduating from elementary school, she attended Maplewood Academy in Hutchinson, MN, graduating in 1978.

In 1980 the family moved to Thief River Falls. Shortly after the move Debra started working for Dr. Jerome Bray. What started out as a part-time position turned into full-time. She loved working for Dr. Bray, but as some changes were made, she took a position with Dakota Clinic, which became Northwest Medical Clinic working in the billing department. During this time, she met future husband, Theodore Brothers. As they corresponded their love grew. They were married on September 8, 1996, in his parents’ home on Camano Island, WA. They made their home in Everett, WA, where Debra was involved in many church activities and being a homemaker.

Debra loved to cook, sew, and crochet. She was always creating new recipes as she loved to try new combinations.

In 2016 Debra and Theodore moved back to Thief River Falls, MN, so Debra could be the caregiver for her mother.

Debra was an active member of Open Arms Christian Fellowship where she helped with the CHIP program, musical cantatas, and many other church activities. Her ready smile and willingness to help always brightened where she was.

Debra is survived by her loving husband, Theodore Brothers of Thief River Falls, MN; sister, Diane (Arlen) Springer of Berrien Springs, MI; sister-in-law, Julie (Ron) Wilhelmson of Holly Springs, NC; aunts, Judy Pervis of Middle River, MN, Linda Banfe of TX, Shirley Banfe of CA, and Marie Banfe of OR; uncle Glenn Meekma of Newfolden, MN; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ronald and Suzanne Meekma and father-in-law and mother-in-law, James and Deloris Brothers.