Deborah Jane Showalter, 73, of Brooklyn, Iowa, passed away at Brooklyn Community Estates in Brooklyn, IA.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Smith Funeral Home – Brooklyn. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., with Deborah's family present to greet friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Cremation will follow the service, with private family burial at Cedar Memorial Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Memorial contributions may be designated to Kent Church. Cards and memorials may be mailed in care of Smith Funeral Home, P.O. Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.

Deborah Jane Barnett was born on April 30, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois, to Robert and Elizabeth (Hoff) Barnett. She graduated from BGM High School with the Class of 1971 and continued her education at the Marshalltown Community Hospital School of Nursing, where she earned her nursing degree and began a lifelong career of caring for others.

Deb's nursing career took her to Nome, Alaska, and later to England, where she met her first husband. They were blessed with three children: Matthew, Timothy, and Laura. The family later returned to the United States, making their home in Denver, Colorado, before eventually settling in Boca Raton, Florida, where Deb continued to spend her winters.

Deb reunited with her high school friend, Gary Showalter, and the couple was united in marriage on June 9, 2012, at Kent Chapel near Brooklyn, Iowa. Through their marriage, Deb welcomed Gary's three children, Caitlynne, Tanner, and Delaney, into her life. They made their home at Holiday Lake.

Deb loved cooking and traveling, especially to Alaska and Boca Raton, Florida. She found peace at the beach and enjoyed long walks along the shoreline. Her faith was the foundation of her life. As a devoted member of Kent Church, she was known for her compassionate spirit, generous heart, and her love of helping children.

She is survived by her husband, Gary Showalter; her mother, Elizabeth Barnett; her stepmother, Barb Barnett; her sons, Matthew Thorn and Timothy Thorn; her stepchildren, Caitlynne Showalter, Delaney (Alex) Wallander and Tanner Showalter; and her grandchildren, Maximus Thorn, Arthur Thorn, Tatum Showalter, and Asher Wallander.

She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Barnett, and her daughter, Laura Thorn.