Deborah Kae Van Auken's Obituary
Deborah Kae Van Auken, 62, resident of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma passed away July 28, 2022. Debbie was born on August 31, 1959, in Lakewood, California to Jerry and Nathalie Miers. At the age of 10, she moved to Weatherford, OK where she was a member of the Girl Scouts and played basketball and volleyball. In high school, she performed as a flag girl in the marching band which she continued into college.
Over the years Debbie worked at the Weatherford post office, the Small Business Development Center, the mail room at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and she had a long career as the executive assistant for the City of Weatherford Mayor’s Office. She was a fiercely proud parent to her son, daughter, and to their many friends who called her mom.
In 2001 Debbie reconnected with her high school sweetheart, Barry Van Auken; in the 1970s he was a cook at Sonic, and she was a roller-skating carhop. They were married in 2003. In 2010 Debbie and Barry moved to Broken Arrow to be near her first grandchild, and she advanced her career as a payroll specialist, until her retirement in 2021.
Debbie was an avid bowler, skilled gardener, and sharp card player, but her greatest joy was spending time with her many grandchildren. She was a generous gift giver, extravagant hostess, and no one at her home was ever hungry. She was an intentional, over-indulgent grandmother who showed her love by making costumes and meticulously planning parties. She didn’t just attend her family’s events; she showed up forty-five minutes early, sat in the front row, and texted everyone that they were late. We’re sure she’s in heaven now directing a few angels about.
Debbie was preceded in passing by her father, Jerry Miers, and her sister, Jerri McConnell. She is survived by her mother, Nathalie Miers (Robinson); her sister, Brenda Keeler, her husband, Barry Van Auken; her children, John Jeremy Flaming, and his wife, Anna; daughter, Angela Kae Baugher, and her husband, Matthew, Mindy Lynn Ostic and her husband, Chris, Cory Jay Van Auken and his wife Jennie, daughter, Tiffany Kae Plants and her husband, Timothy, her grandchildren, Nathan Wilson Baugher, Samuel Jacob Baugher, Elisabeth Kae Baugher, Katherine Grace Baugher, Amelia Jane Flaming, Emmeline Portia Flaming, Olivia Ri Ann Broughton-Paulik, Jeremy Michael Broughton, Micayela Sharae Plants, Aleeyah Denae Plants, Marcus Jerome Plants; and numerous other family members and friends.
Celebration of Life Service will be 11:00 AM, Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at Eastland Baptist Church
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