Debra Jasperson

Debra Elaine (Jones) Jasperson, 69, passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in the comfort of her home in Newton, Kansas.

Debra was born March 29, 1957, in Concordia, Kansas to Ruth Ann (Doyen) and Gerald Jones. She spent her entire childhood and early adult years in Concordia. Growing up in Concordia, she formed many lifelong friendships, and she had great pride and admiration for her hometown. She fondly spoke about growing up in a small town, her neighbors and friends, and having her entire family close by, especially Granny.

She graduated from Concordia High School in 1975. After high school she attended Kansas State University and joined the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She eventually returned home to Concordia to attend Cloud County Community College, receiving an associate’s degree. During this time, she would meet her future husband, Randall Jasperson. They were married on September 1, 1979, at the Presbyterian Church in Concordia. The following year they welcomed their first child, son Ryan Lee, and a couple years later, daughter Stacy Ann. The family resided in the Kansas City area while Randall attended Cleveland Chiropractic College. Debra also received therapy and x-ray technician certificates from the same college. After their education journey was complete, the family selected Newton, Kansas as the place they would call home and raise their children. Debra’s primary profession was as a homemaker, and she was an expert! She dedicated her life to taking care of her children and household. Following in her mother and grandmother’s footsteps, she was an extraordinary cook and always had her home in perfect order. This is something her children later realized they had taken for granted as they raised their own children!

After her children became middle school age, she decided to take a job with the USD 373 food service staff and worked at Northridge Elementary School, taking care of those children as if they were her own. She was also known to provide transportation services to and from school to many of the neighborhood kids in the Astro van “blue bus”. After her children were grown, Debra found joy in her grandchildren, her dogs, her best friends from back home, and, of course, cooking, baking and helping her growing family.

Debra traveled a difficult road in the last few years. Something she didn’t deserve but fought with everything she had until the very end. She will be fondly remembered in our hearts and minds as a genuinely kind soul, a caring mother and grandmother, and a symbol of love to her family and friends.

Debra was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald and Ruth Ann; infant sister, Katherine Marie Jones; brother, Jason Jones; grandparents, Levi and Lena (Donnelly) Doyen, John and Francis (Knocke) Jones; aunt, Marilyn (Jones) Regier; aunt and uncle, Fern (Doyen) and Keith Waters; and dear family friend, Randy LaGasse.

Debra is survived by her husband, Randall; their two children, Ryan (Megan) Jasperson and Stacy (Chris) Herwig; her grandchildren Carter and Ella Jasperson and Caden, Emma and Madison Herwig; and her uncle Larry John Doyen.

A visitation will be held on the evening of Sunday, May 17 at Petersen’s Funeral Home in Newton from 5:00 - 9:00pm, with family present from 6:00 - 8:00pm. The funeral service will be held Monday, May 18 at the First Presbyterian Church in Newton at 10:00am. Graveside service and burial will take place at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Concordia, Kansas at 2:00pm.

Memorials may be made in Debra’s name to the Caring Hands Humane Society, in care of the funeral home.