Deborah Kay Stevens

Deborah "Deb" Kay Stevens, 76, of Byron, MN passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at the home of her daughter on July 23, 2026, after fighting a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

She was a truly inspirational and resilient woman who courageously battled stage 4 pancreatic cancer for 3 years, 8 months, and 26 days.

Deb was born on June 23, 1950, in Montevideo, MN to Vernard and Donabell (Hadrath) Lovhaug. She grew up in Rochester, MN and graduated from John Marshall High School in 1968. She married Keith Mathews that same year; they later divorced. Deb started working for the Mayo Clinic in 1968 and worked there for over 40 years.

In 1992, Deb met the love of her life, Gayle "G.W." Stevens, and they were married on June 30, 2001, at Ironwood Springs in Stewartville. The couple made their home in rural Racine. G. W. died on May 18, 2016. Deb then moved to Byron to be closer to her daughters.

Deb enjoyed working in her flower gardens, crafting, antiquing, and spending time with her family and friends. Deb loved listening to loons and reminiscing about countless family vacations up north, along with numerous trips with her daughters and best friends. She was proud of her family and cherished making memories with them. Deb was a selfless person who always put others first. She also made the best sugar cookies on Earth.

She is survived by her daughters, Shannon (Michael) Day, and Nikki (Bill) Hofschulte; step-sons, Scott (Cathy) Stevens, Ken (Gwen) Stevens, and Kevin (Mary Kay) Stevens; grandchildren, Ashley (Shane Weisbrod) Day, Connor (fiancé Caitlin Nelson) Moon, and Madilynn Day; 7 step-grandchildren; great granddaughters, Shiloh and Bella; 4 step great-grandchildren; and brothers, Tom (Harriet) Lovhaug, and Steve (Suzanne) Lovhaug.

Deb was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Gayle.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester, MN. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 pm on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at the funeral home, and one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veteran's Cemetery in Preston, MN.

Her daughters would like to thank the staff at Mayo Clinic Oncology Gonda 10 for the excellent care and love that they provided throughout Deb's cancer journey.

They would also like to thank the staff at Moment's Hospice for the care and love that they also provided to their mom.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Stevens family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.