116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
Deborah Ekeland
DEBORAH EKELAND
Cedar Rapids
After a brave fight against cancer, Deborah Ekeland passed away in her home on Sunday, May 27, 2018, at the age of 62.
Deb was preceded in death by her mother, Muriel; and will be lovingly remembered by her father, Norman; brother, Robert (Kari); and daughter, Rachel (Trey).
Deb grew up in Sioux Falls, S.D., where she began riding and training horses at the age of 11. She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in art history, and spent her career as a teacher of art and horseback riding. She married Ron Levine in 1983. They enjoyed 30 years of marriage and raising their daughter. Deb was an incredible artist, horse woman, teacher and mother. Her generous and selfless nature touched everyone around her. Her giving spirit will live on in her many friends and family.
A celebration of Deb's life will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, at Temple Judah, 3221 Lindsay Lane SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403.
Memorial donations in honor of Deborah can be made to WarHorses for Heroes (www.WarHorsesforHeroes.org, 13600 Looney Rd., Olive Branch, MS 38654) or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.StJude.org, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105).
Please leave a message for the family on the website www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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