Debra "Deb" Kozojed

Debra (Deb) Ann Kozojed, 47, of Fargo, N.D., died Monday, June 2, 2003, in her parents' home near Hillsboro, N.D. She was under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley and surrounded by family and friends. Deb died peacefully and with dignity following a lengthy and courageous battle with breast cancer. Deb was born on October 23, 1955, at Hillsboro to Walter and LaVonne (Vettel) Kozojed. She grew up on her parents' farm west of Hillsboro and graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1973. She lived in West Fargo, where she was employed by the West Fargo Medical Center. She later worked at the Hillsboro Clinic for several years, prior to moving to Fargo in 1993 and beginning work in the patient accounts division of the business department at MeritCare, where she was still employed at the time of her death. She also held various part-time jobs through the years, including one as an assistant at Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo. Deb married Bob Kress in Hillsboro in 1983. Deb was an outgoing individual with numerous friends. She had a deep commitment to family and friends and was always interested in the welfare of others. A very straightforward, independent and caring person, she was a beloved mother, and her daughters will miss her very much. Deb's truest joy was being grandmother to her precious Miranda. Deb is survived by two daughters: Amy (J.J. Fankhanel) Tubridy of Fargo and Becca Kress of Hillsboro; a granddaughter, Miranda Tubridy of Fargo; her parents, Walter and LaVonne Kozojed of Hillsboro; three sisters, Karen (Don) Lilleboe of West Fargo, Connie (Leon) Bertsch of Hillsboro, and Patrice (Mitch) Elliott of Billings, Mont.; two brothers, Mike (Margaret) of Mayville and Paul (Melissa) of Hillsboro. She also leaves behind a number of nephews and nieces: Jason, Nicole, Kristen and Matthew Lilleboe; Tyler Kukowski; Teresa, Tim and Roberta Kozojed; Jon and Allison Bertsch; Abby and Alix Elliott; and Austin and Tiffany Kozojed; one grandnephew, Anthony Lilleboe; and numerous special aunts, uncles and cousins. Visitation: 4:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday (prayer service at 6:00 p.m.) at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 210 5th Ave. W., West Fargo, and one hour prior to the funeral service on Friday. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 6, at Blessed Sacrament Church, West Fargo. Burial: 3:00 p.m. Friday at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Hillsboro. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Hospice of the Red River Valley or to Breast Cancer Research. Arrangements by Wildeman Funeral Home, Hillsboro, and Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo. Online guestbook: www.boulgerfuneralhome.com.