Debbie Clifton

Debbie Lou Clifton, daughter of Richard Clifton and Lora (Bradford) Clifton, was born February 12, 1953 in Omaha, Nebraska. She attended Brownville Grade School while growing up in Brownville, Nebraska, graduated from Auburn High School, and graduated from Peru State College with a business degree.

From age 7 until she was 12 Debbie spent her summers selling tickets for Silver Star Shows Carnival, which her grandparents and parents owned. When she was 12 she started working in the popcorn trailer for the carnival, which travelled to fairs around Nebraska and neighboring states. During other months of the year she worked as a waitress and house cleaner. In her last year of high school and during her college years Debbie worked for ESU #4 part-time.

After graduating from college, Debbie was united in marriage to James K. Whisler on May 19, 1973. Her parents had sold all of the carnival but the popcorn trailer, and Debbie and Jim spent that summer travelling with the new owners of the carnival. When summer was over, the couple joined the Sonny Meyer Shows and toured the southern states until late November. Debbie continued working in the popcorn trailer, which was later owned by her brother and sister-in-law, for years to come on some of her vacation days and weekends.

When she and Jim returned from their adventure in the southern states, Debbie had a job waiting for her at Cooper Nuclear Station at Brownville. She worked there for over 38 years in the Administrative and Technical Support Departments. Jim and Debbie?s marriage had dissolved after three years but they remained friends until his death.

Debbie was also united in marriage to Tye D. Bantz on April 6, 1979 and that marriage was dissolved after five years of marriage.

During her adult years Debbie enjoyed socializing. She was on the Black Bird and Whiskey Run women?s softball teams. At a little older age she took up golfing for several years and loved to compete in golf leagues and tournaments. She was also one of the Women?s Golf League captains during some of her golfing years. At a later stage of her life, Debbie realized she had missed having a dog for the past 27 years. She had always loved Siberian Huskies, so she got one and named it Misti. When she decided to get a playmate for Misti she discovered the rare breed known as Alaskan Klee Kai Huskies, or miniature huskies. This led to a passion for the AKK breed. After her first one, Daizi, she obtained many more through the years. She always said, ?they?re like eating potato chips?you can?t stop at one?. When Daizi was a year old, Debbie was talked in to competing in Conformation Shows. Daizi was so successful in the beginning, making UKC?s Top Ten List from 2004 to 2012, that it led Debbie into another hobby and passion of showing her many AKK?s through the years. She even bought her dogs an RV show they could all travel across the USA competing in shows. Through the years, Debbie also dabbled in breeding the AKK. When she was not at work, Debbie could be found in her backyard training her dogs or just enjoying watching them play. If she was in the house it was nothing to catch her lying on the couch with three to five dogs either lying with her or around her feet.

After a too short battle with cancer, Debbie passed away at her home in Auburn, Nebraska on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at the age of 60 years and 15 days. She was preceded in death by her father and both sets of grandparents.

Debbie is survived by her mother Lora Clifton of Brownville; brother Rick and his wife Margaret Clifton of Auburn; nephew Kaleb and niece Karlee; aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and many friends she acquired over the years.

Funeral services will be Monday, March 4, 10:00 a.m. at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn. Burial will follow in the Walnut Grove Cemetery at Brownville. Visitation will be at the funeral home Sunday noon to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends 3:00 to 5:00. Casual dress is encouraged.

Memorials in lieu of flowers suggested to Walnut Grove Cemetery.