2 weeks Ago
May 17, 1957 - April 17, 2025 Debra Ann Hughes (née Doerscher), known as Debbie, 67, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away peacefully at home on April 17, 2025, after a courageous six-month battle with angiosarcoma, a rare cancer. She was born on May 17, 1957, in Davenport, Iowa, to Robert and Shirley (Lineburg) Doerscher, and grew up on the family's dairy farm. She graduated from Davenport Central High School in 1975, where she participated in choir and formed many lifelong friendships.
On March 16, 1979, she married the love of her life, Dennis Albert Hughes. The two shared 46 years of marriage, filled with love, laughter, and deep devotion. The greatest joy of Debbie's life came on January 1, 1989, with the birth of her twin sons, Dillon Leo Hughes and Dalton John Hughes.
Her love for her family was the foundation of her life and evident in everything she did. Debbie also had a special place in her heart for animals, especially black cats and her gentle spirit extended to all she cared for. She ran an in-home daycare for many years, pouring love and care into the lives of the children she looked after.
Many of them stayed in touch with her into adulthood, a testament to the lasting impact she made. In her later years, she worked as an office manager at Advanced Hearing. Debbie was also a dedicated Boy Scout Leader for Troop 206 in Park View, Iowa, for many years, where she guided and supported numerous scouts with patience and enthusiasm.
She is survived by her husband, Dennis; her son, Dalton (Jessica) Hughes of DeWitt, Iowa; and her grandchildren, Parker and Jameson Hughes; siblings, David (Sandy) Doerscher of St. Olaf, Iowa; Donna (Loren) Claussen of Walcott, Iowa; Danny Doerscher of Grand Blanc, Mich.; Dean (Annette) Doerscher of Bennett, Iowa; and Darlene (Gary) Kregel of Guttenberg, Iowa.
Debbie was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved son, Dillon Hughes; and her brother, Douglas Doerscher. The family extends heartfelt thanks to Compassus Hospice and Visiting Angels for their compassionate care and support during Debbie's final weeks. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.
m., on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Weerts Funeral Home, Davenport, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.
m, on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at the Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Debbie's memory may be made to the Avery Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Dubuque, Iowa, that provides financial support to cancer patients and their families.
Weerts Funeral Home 3625 Jersey Ridge Road, Davenport, IA 52807 563-355-4433 Sign up to get the most recent local obituaries delivered to your inbox..
