Debra Westphal, 68, of Des Moines (formerly of Fontanelle)

Debra Jean Westphal

October 5, 1957 – March 25, 2026

Debra Jean Westphal, 68, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on March 25, 2026, leaving behind a life richly lived and a family who adored her.

Born on October 5, 1957, in Greenfield, Iowa, and raised on the farm in Richland Township, Adair County, Iowa, Debbie made Des Moines her lifelong home. She devoted her career to Principal Financial Group, retiring in 2024 after decades of service. When retirement finally arrived, she welcomed it wholeheartedly — ready to trade work for the hobbies and people she loved most.

Debbie filled her days with the things that brought her joy. A gifted needlewoman, she channeled her creativity into sewing, cross stitch, and embroidery. She loved to bake desserts, hunt down a good sale, and could fix just about anything — as evidenced by her impressive tool collection. A true collector at heart, she had a way of finding treasure everywhere she looked. She cherished quiet time at home with her beloved cat, Buster, and loved reliving memories of fishing trips to Canada. She had a rare gift for storytelling — she could light up a room with tales of her nieces and nephew, who she loved as her own children. She would do just about anything for her family, and her goodbyes were legendary — a true Westphal trait.

Debbie was devoted to her mother, Marjorie, and cared for her until the very end.

Debbie is preceded in death by her father, Gerald Westphal. She is survived by her mother, Marjorie Westphal; her brother Douglas (Julie) Westphal; her four nieces, Melissa (Michael) Meyer and their children Izaak, Brynlee, and Gavin, Andrea (Andrew) Martinek and their children Cooper, Mikkala, and Madeline, Rebecca (Joe) Strait and their children London and Elijah, Jaclyn Westphal; and her nephew Kyle (Crystal) Westphal and their children Zoey and Kobe.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date, where immediate family will gather to lay her to rest. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Adel Acres.