Debra Pettit

Debra Jean Pettit 72, of Covington, Washington passed away on April 11th 2023 aftter a 4+ year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Debbie was born on December, 2nd 1950 as the youngest of 8 siblings to Twila and Ben Hauschulz in Cando, North Dakota. Debbie grew up in Rock Lake, North Dakota where she attended Rock Lake High School graduating in 1968 as the class validictorian. She went on to study teaching at Minot State University for 2 years before transferring to North Dakota State University where she switched her focus of study and obtained a degree in nursing. Debbie spent her summers in college working in a nursing home in Cando, North Dakota. Once she received her degree, Debbie worked as a nurse for a short stint at St. Lukes Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota. 

On July 1st 1972 Debbie married her high school sweetheart Gerald Pettit where they soon after moved to Auburn, Washington in February of 1973. In the summer of 73 Debbie began her 40 year career at Auburn Regional Hospital as a med surg nurse, where she thrived as she was a natural caretaker who always put others first. In 1979 Debbie and Jerry moved to what is now, Covington, Washington.

Debbie gave birth to her first son, Travis Pettit in 1977, her second son, Jason Pettit in 1981 and her third son, Eric Pettit in 1983. Debbie was an incredible mother, who valued her family over everything. Much like her mother, Debbie prepared homemade meals for dinner every day and kept an abundance of home baked desserts in the home, Debbie was notoriously known for her carrot cake by many people.

Debbie found endless joy in life which was ever-evident by the constant smile on her face and abundance of energy. She loved growing vegetables in her garden, spending time in her greenhouse growing flowers, traveling back to her home state of North Dakota to visit family, spending time at the cabin at Lake Kachess, vacationing in Hawaii, and hiking in Utah. She loved spending quality time with her family, especially holidays and birthdays.

Debbie was preceded in death by her mother Twila Hauschulz and father Ben Hauschulz, her sisters Jan Holland and Fay Hauschulz sister in-law Debbie Pettit, as well as brothers in-law: Jim Wahlert, Jim Petterson, Terry Pettit, Lee Holland and Lamoin Nesemeier. She is survived by her husband Gerald Pettit, sons: Travis, Jason and Eric Pettit, son in-law Jesus Pinedo, daughter in-law Danielle Pettit, grandson Leo Pettit, sisters: Arlene Petterson, Shirley Nesemeier and Marlys Wahlert, sister in-laws: Marleen and Sharon Hauschulz, Yvonne Baker, Cathy Ohlstrom, Lynda Pettit, brothers: Rod and Bob Hauschulz, brothers in-law, Jim and John Pettit, Mark Ohlstrom, and Chris Baker as well as many neices and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.

For details on Debbie’s celebration of life in July please contact Danielle Pettit at: thepettits2016@gmail.com

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