Debra Kay Harvey

Debra Kay Smette Harvey

Age 64, of Woodbury, MN passed away Sunday, November 29 at United Hospital in St. Paul, MN.   She was born on August 7, 1956 to Ingel and Edith Smette in Minot, ND.  She graduated from Minot High School in 1974.  After graduation she began her 40+ year banking career at Midwest Federal Savings and Loan in Minot and retired in 2018 as Vice President of Thrivent Federal  Credit Union in Minneapolis. She was a very well liked, dedicated, and respected Professional.

Family was very important to Debbie. She never missed important family events.  She was a 2nd mom to her nieces and nephews and a wonderful Nana to Jackson, Olivia, Madelyn, and Elizabeth who all  loved and adored her. She loved to travel and spend time at her lake home at Lake Amelia in Villard.  During the 11 years that Deb’s Mother lived in Alaska, Deb traveled 49 times to Alaska, the 49th state.  

Everyone who knew Debbie loved her and she always attracted people wherever she went.   She was so much fun to be around, generous, and kind. Deb was the first one to celebrate and rejoice in happy times, and also the first one to show empathy and love during difficult times.

She leaves behind her loving and heartbroken family who loved and adored her, and miss her dearly: Donald Rutten, Woodbury; his children: Tera (Justin) Data and their family Jackson and Olivia, Bismarck, ND and Pat (Amy) Rutten and their family Madelyn and Elizabeth, Bloomington, MN; Siblings: Judy (Dennis) Parizek, North Ogden, UT, Renae (Clint Waggoner) Axelson, and Lorne (Jana) Smette, Anchorage, AK; Nieces and Nephews: Shawnda (Craig) Burleson, Lebanon, OR, Michelle Axelson Lacey, Wasilla, AK, Holly (Mike) Himler, Anchorage, AK, Darrin (Jerrica) Parizek, Roy, UT, Jarid and Amber Smette, Anchorage, AK, and several great nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, brother Jerry, and brother-in-law Keith Axelson along with numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Summer of 2021 for this beautiful angel.  Arrangements under the direction of O’Halloran & Murphy Funeral and Cremation Services in Woodbury. Those wishing to share memories and condolences may access her obituary at www.ohalloranmurphy.com.

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