On a beautiful December morning, I lost my best friend. Debbie Lynn Sloan was born Feb. 11, 1958, and passed away comfortably Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, surrounded by her family.
Debbie was born in Casper, Wyo., to Darrell and Arden Wilson. She was the middle child of five children, two older sisters and two younger brothers. The family grew up on a 262 acre ranch in Casper that had horses, cows, pigs, sheep, turkeys, chickens, cats and dogs. This is probably where Debbie developed her love of animals. Growing up Debbie loved participating in 4-H, rodeo and FFA; she loved everything about being in the outdoors. When she was not old enough to join her older sisters in the Girl Scouts to sell cookies, she became a Blue Bird and sold candy. Her love for the outdoors, just like her love for animals, always remained with Debbie.
Debbie graduated from Natrona County High School in 1976, and soon after, she moved to Idaho Falls to start a new chapter in her life. It was there she met her tall, dark and handsome cowboy, Mike Sloan. The two were perfect for each other, and not only did they become husband and wife but also "best friends."
People say they can hardly remember a day when there was Mike without Debbie. They shared the love of the outdoors and animals, and it made it easy to spend almost every free moment together. They called home in many different places: Casper, Salt Lake City, Driggs, Rigby, and finally, Blackfoot. They shared many hobbies together. You would always see "Mike and Debbie" at the flat track races, the cutter races, rodeos, fairs, camping or throwing a barbeque at the house.
When Debbie married Mike, she also inherited his family. She was always harassing him about his family being the "Waltons" because of the closeness of everyone and frequent family gatherings. She loved every minute of those gatherings and always brought her famous homemade fruit pastries that were usually gone before dinner even started. Another great thing with Mike's family was Debbie also inherited another sister, Cheryl. At times, people thought they were sisters instead of in-laws.
On Jan. 6, 1979, Mike and Debbie welcomed their first child, a daughter, Trisha Lee Sloan. Just a year later on Feb. 25, 1980, thier second child was born, a son, Steven Michael Sloan. Debbie loved her children and from a young age had them tagging along with her and Mike.
Debbie's other great love was being a grandma. She was a grandma twice with both of her children now being parents, and she loved her granddaughters, Chanel and Maisie so much. The highlight of this year was Chanel getting to spend the summer with grandpa and grandma. Grandpa had to refresh his memory on a few things, but grandma jumped right in. What a special summer.
Debbie loved people and had an amazing heart with an ability to make anyone feel welcome. She tended bars for years and was working at The Colonial in Blackfoot. She could make an amazing drink and could remember almost everyone's "usual," but it was really the people she loved. People say she always had a smile and hug, she would referee spouses, make you feel special, listen to any problem and set up benefits for people in need.
Debbie lived life to the fullest. She always had a smile and a contagious laugh. You could not be around her without smiling yourself. She was never afraid to tell you her opinion or how to do something, but was also never afraid to tell you she loved you and give you a hug. She will be missed by all who knew her. She was a wonderful wife, mom, grandma, aunt and friend.
Survivors include her husband, Mike Sloan; her children, Steven (Michelle) Sloan and Trisha Sloan; her granddaughters, Chanel Lee Lebow and Maisie Kay Sloan; her sisters, Jacquelyn Wilson and Terry (John) Monear; her brother, John B Wilson; her sister-in-law, Cheryl (Mike) Allen; brothers-in-law, Paul (Sherry) Sloan and Lyle (Frances) Sloan; and many nieces and nephews that loved her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Darrell and Arden Wilson, and one brother, Mark Wilson.
A celebration of life for Debbie will be held in the spring. The family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, kind words and prayers.
Arrangements were under the direction of Hawker Funeral Home in Blackfoot.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.hawkerfuneralhome.com.
Published in Post Register Dec. 17, 2014
On a beautiful December morning, I lost my best friend. Debbie Lynn Sloan was born Feb. 11, 1958, and passed away comfortably Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, surrounded by her family.
Debbie was born in Casper, Wyo., to Darrell and Arden Wilson. She was the middle child of five children, two older sisters and two younger brothers. The family grew up on a 262 acre ranch in Casper that had horses, cows, pigs, sheep, turkeys, chickens, cats and dogs. This is probably where Debbie developed her love of animals. Growing up Debbie loved participating in 4-H, rodeo and FFA; she loved everything about being in the outdoors. When she was not old enough to join her older sisters in the Girl Scouts to sell cookies, she became a Blue Bird and sold candy. Her love for the outdoors, just like her love for animals, always remained with Debbie.
Debbie graduated from Natrona County High School in 1976, and soon after, she moved to Idaho Falls to start a new chapter in her life. It was there she met her tall, dark and handsome cowboy, Mike Sloan. The two were perfect for each other, and not only did they become husband and wife but also "best friends."
People say they can hardly remember a day when there was Mike without Debbie. They shared the love of the outdoors and animals, and it made it easy to spend almost every free moment together. They called home in many different places: Casper, Salt Lake City, Driggs, Rigby, and finally, Blackfoot. They shared many hobbies together. You would always see "Mike and Debbie" at the flat track races, the cutter races, rodeos, fairs, camping or throwing a barbeque at the house.
When Debbie married Mike, she also inherited his family. She was always harassing him about his family being the "Waltons" because of the closeness of everyone and frequent family gatherings. She loved every minute of those gatherings and always brought her famous homemade fruit pastries that were usually gone before dinner even started. Another great thing with Mike's family was Debbie also inherited another sister, Cheryl. At times, people thought they were sisters instead of in-laws.
On Jan. 6, 1979, Mike and Debbie welcomed their first child, a daughter, Trisha Lee Sloan. Just a year later on Feb. 25, 1980, thier second child was born, a son, Steven Michael Sloan. Debbie loved her children and from a young age had them tagging along with her and Mike.
Debbie's other great love was being a grandma. She was a grandma twice with both of her children now being parents, and she loved her granddaughters, Chanel and Maisie so much. The highlight of this year was Chanel getting to spend the summer with grandpa and grandma. Grandpa had to refresh his memory on a few things, but grandma jumped right in. What a special summer.
Debbie loved people and had an amazing heart with an ability to make anyone feel welcome. She tended bars for years and was working at The Colonial in Blackfoot. She could make an amazing drink and could remember almost everyone's "usual," but it was really the people she loved. People say she always had a smile and hug, she would referee spouses, make you feel special, listen to any problem and set up benefits for people in need.
Debbie lived life to the fullest. She always had a smile and a contagious laugh. You could not be around her without smiling yourself. She was never afraid to tell you her opinion or how to do something, but was also never afraid to tell you she loved you and give you a hug. She will be missed by all who knew her. She was a wonderful wife, mom, grandma, aunt and friend.
Survivors include her husband, Mike Sloan; her children, Steven (Michelle) Sloan and Trisha Sloan; her granddaughters, Chanel Lee Lebow and Maisie Kay Sloan; her sisters, Jacquelyn Wilson and Terry (John) Monear; her brother, John B Wilson; her sister-in-law, Cheryl (Mike) Allen; brothers-in-law, Paul (Sherry) Sloan and Lyle (Frances) Sloan; and many nieces and nephews that loved her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Darrell and Arden Wilson, and one brother, Mark Wilson.
A celebration of life for Debbie will be held in the spring. The family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, kind words and prayers.
Arrangements were under the direction of Hawker Funeral Home in Blackfoot.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.hawkerfuneralhome.com.
Published in Post Register Dec. 17, 2014
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