Debra Marie Jerome

Debra M. “Debbie” Jerome, 44 of Tokio, ND died on Thursday, March 27, 2008 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND. A Wake and Prayer Service for Debbie will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2008 beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the Tokio Recreation Center. The Procession to Tokio will leave from the Wal-Mart Parking lot on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. Funeral Services for Debbie will be on Friday at 10:00 a.m. at the Tokio Recreation Center with Fr. Charles Leute, O.P. officiating. Burial will be in the Bdecan Presbyterian Cemetery, rural Tokio. Serving as Casket Bearers for Debbie will be Austin Smith, David Wee, Kenny Longie, Wayon Longie, Norman Blackbird and Jason LaRocque. Honorary Bearers will be all of Debbie’s dear family and many friends. Debra Marie was born on March 8, 1964 at Devils Lake, ND the daughter of Robert “Bobby” Greene and Darlene Jerome. Debbie was an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Tribe and lived most of her life on the Spirit Lake Nation. She was raised in the Tokio area and was educated in Warwick and also attended the Wahpeton Indian School. She received her GED in the 1990’s at the Little Hoop Community College in Fort Totten. She worked for Dakota Tribal Industries for several years. For 4 years, Debbie lived and worked in the Fargo/Moorhead area. In her younger years, Debbie loved the outdoors and horseback riding with friends and family. She loved her dear family and was so happy whenever she could spend time with her children and grandchildren. In these last years of failing health, she was so thankful for the blessing of her children and siblings who cared for her. She was truly loved and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. May Debbie rest in God’s hands. Debbie is survived by her children: Hernando Jerome, Amanda Jerome and Rae Ann Jerome all of Tokio. Special Grandson, Talin Redfox and her other dear grandchildren, Taniya, Teleya and Teagan Redfox; Ethan and Shaliyah Jerome; Handsome, Wesley Jr. and Weston BirdHorse. Sisters: Bonnie Jerome of Ross Acres, rural Sheyenne, ND Jodi Handley of Marietta, Georgia Brother: Gabriel Smith of Tokio Grandfather: Robert Olson, Tokio Step Daughter: Crystal Meade, Tokio Special Friend: Gregory Demarris of St. Michael Nieces: Dana Baer and Marissa Baer of Bismarck Samantha Baer, Ross Acres Nephews: Rock Baer Jr., Ross Acres Cordell Snyder and Dakota Snyder both of Fort Washakie, Wyoming She was preceded in death by her mother, Darlene; daughter, Jamie Jerome on January 17, 2006; husband, John Yellow Hammer; grandmother, Nancy Owlboy Olson and grandfather, Leonard Jerome.