Debra Jean Neal, 53, of Grundy Center, Iowa formerly of Reinbeck, Iowa, died Monday, January 9, 2012, at University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa, of natural causes. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M., Friday, January 13, 2012, at Union Congregational United Church of Christ, in Reinbeck, Iowa, with Pastor Joel Love officiating. Cremation will follow the service. Visitation will be Thursday, January 12, 2012, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at French Hand Funeral Home in Reinbeck, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to the family.
Debra was born May 29, 1958, in Marshalltown, Iowa the daughter of Gilbert and Marie (Delfs) Martens. She grew up in the Grundy County area and attended Reinbeck schools graduating with the class 1976. After graduation she attended Central College and later Hawkeye Community College. Debra was united in marriage to John C. Neal on June 15, 1985, at the United Church of Christ in Reinbeck, Iowa. After their wedding, Debra and John moved to Knoxville, Iowa for a short time, they then moved to Arizona for eight years before moving back to Reinbeck. She provided child care in the Reinbeck for 20 years. Debra worked at Subway and most recently as a dietary cook for Grundy Care Center in Grundy Center. Debra love to cook and enjoyed the family fishing trips to Pine Lake, Minnesota. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. But most of all spending time with her granddaughters. Debra was a member of the Union Congregational United Church of Christ, in Reinbeck, Iowa,
She is survived by her husband, John C. Neal of Grundy Center; sons, Noah Martens and wife Erica and Dylan Neal all of Grundy Center; mother, Marie Martens of Reinbeck; 3 granddaughters: Makenzie, Meaghan and Madilynn Martens; sister, Sandra Peterson and husband Cordell of Reinbeck, niece, Shelley Bolt; nephew, Chris Dinsdale and wife Kelly all of Reinbeck.
Preceding her in death was her father, Gilbert.