Debra L. Gutschmidt, 69, passed away after a brief illness at Northern Montana Hospital on Thursday, January 29, 2026, with her family by her side.  Cremation has taken place, and arrangements are in progress for a celebration of Debra's life.  Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Debra was born on April 2, 1956, in Oakland, California, to Mylo and Carolynn (Roberson) Gutschmidt.  She was raised in California, graduating from Redmond Senior High School in 1975.  Soon after, she moved to Kirkland, Washington, where she married Timothy Peters.  They had a son before divorcing, and she moved to Sidney, Montana, in 1982.  There she had her two daughters.  Over the next 30 years, Debra lived in several different cities on the west coast, moving to Havre in 2014 to be near one of her daughters.  There she began working for Gary & Leo's IGA, and she remained there until her death.

Debra was a feisty, happy, social woman who enjoyed working puzzles and watching Survivor and Dancing with the Stars on TV.  She was the ultimate "people person" who found joy in watching people go about their daily lives, and bringing her sunshine into their lives

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mylo and Carolynn Gutschmidt.

Debra is survived by her children, Philip Peters and Tirzah (Jeremy) Stockdale, all of Vancouver, Washington, and Nicole (Russell McIntosh) Merrill of Havre; seven grandchildren, Kieanna, Canayla, Zachary, Jackson, Janessa, Jacelyn, Adalia, Malachi, and Corbin; siblings, Suzie (Matt) Salzinger of Surprise, Arizona, and Dave (Kim) Gutschmidt of Vancouver, Washington; in-laws, Steve and Wanda McIntosh of Havre; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and many friends.