Debra Oegema

Died Sunday evening January 20, 2019 at age 62. Debra was born May 3, 1956 in Holland, Michigan a daughter of Donald and Esther (Lorenz) Cleason. She had been a Kalamazoo area resident for over 40 years. Debra taught elementary music with the Lawton Community Schools for 14 years, before retiring to help watch her beloved grandchildren. She continued to accompany the school choirs until last year. She was also very active in the music department at Centerpoint Church for many years. On June 9, 1979, she was united in marriage to her loving husband of 39 years, Gary Oegema, who survives, and with whom she was an inseparable partner in family life, faith and their teaching careers. Deb made an extraordinary impact on her friends, students and family by her strong, kind and hospitable demeanor. She courageously stood for the underdog, and her intuition and kindness helped her to truly see people. She always stood up for what she thought was right and good, and strove to bring about goodness to her loved ones. Deb wielded a quick wit, and her love of words kept her family reaching for the dictionary. Her dedication to her husband, children and grandchildren was unparalleled, and her musical talents extraordinary. Deb was preceded in death by her father and her infant sister Terri. Also surviving, 3 children, Rebekah Oegema (Rob Kean, finacee), Jonathan (Terra) Oegema, and Benjamin Oegema all of Holland, MI; 3 grandchildren; 4 siblings, Kitty Momburg of Ft. Worth, TX, Vicki (Eric) Bjork of Pepin,WI, Donald Cleason (Laura Grady) of Longmont, CO, and Joanne Cleason of Kalamazoo; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. A memorial service will be held at two o'clock Saturday, Jan. 26 at Centerpoint Church, 2345 N. 10th St. Friends may meet the family at Centerpoint on Friday, Jan. 25 from 4:00-7:00 pm and at 1:00 pm prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Private burial will take place at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the Free Wheelchair Mission. Please visit Debra's personalized webpage for directions, online guestbook, or to leave a condolence. Arrangements were made by the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. www.langelands.com.