Debbie Aasen

Debbie was born March 25, 1965, in Bismarck, to Donald W. and Karilyn (Nelson) Kuehn. She lived briefly on her grandfather’s, Carl Kuehn, ranch before moving to her mother’s parents’ homestead seven miles west of Washburn. There, with her younger sister, Kammey, she attended Washburn Public School until graduating in 1983. She was in 4H, band and choir, FFA, and she was named FFA Sweetheart in 1982. Also, she was a homecoming candidate in her senior year. She was a member of a small rural church, Birka Lutheran, but was later confirmed at First Lutheran in Washburn. Growing up, Debbie enjoyed the many aspects of rural life: raising cattle and pigs, and yes, even chickens. She loved horses and cats and dogs, and enjoyed swimming. She told stories from time to time of the adventures of taking lunch to her father in the field during spring planting and fall harvest.

Debbie received an Associate’s Degree in Journalism from Bismarck Junior College in 1985 and was listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Junior Colleges and was named Outstanding Journalism Student at BJC. She then moved to Minot, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcasting from Minot State University. In 1987, she began working for KXMC as part of her college requirements and later landed a permanent job with the news department in June of 1988. Over the years, she filled positions as photographer, field reporter, producer, anchor and assignment editor. She became the Education Reporter and started the Golden Apple Award to honor area teachers. She was also instrumental in creating The Prairie Pastor series, which is still airing today. She enjoyed meeting new people, not only celebrities, but also people with interesting hobbies or unique stories to tell. She liked the challenge of putting those stories into a meaningful 90-seconds on television. Debbie received awards for her writing from the Northwest Broadcast News Association and for her reporting from the ND Associated Press. She was also recognized with a media award from the state Mental Health Association, and with her colleagues from the NDEA for an in-depth series on children’s issues. Out of that came the birth of the Minot Commission on Youth, of which she was a charter member. She also received the Friend of Education award from the Minot Public School District. She remained at KXMC until 2009. She later served as the Staff Development Coordinator at Good Samaritan Society in Mohall until her illness prevented her from working any longer. Debbie was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s Disease at the age of 39.

Debbie was working at KXMC when she met the love of her life, Richard Joseph Aasen, of Mohall. They were married on Sept. 19, 1992. They made their first home in Burlington, but later moved to a small farmstead one mile south of Mohall. They had two children together, Tanner born in October of 1993, and Taylor, born in May of 1998. Debbie adored being a mom; she always had a humorous anecdote about her family. Her children were a great source of pride and joy. She enjoyed reading, watching old sitcoms, fishing, darts, cards and camping. She especially looked forward to their annual camping trips to Minnesota with her sister and their friends.

Debbie was a woman of deep faith and was active in her church, Zion Lutheran Church, Mohall, where she taught Sunday school and also enjoyed producing video presentations for the congregation. She was a member of the MLS School Board for the past five years. She also was a Cub Scout leader for a short time. She also dabbled in other writing pursuits, including a novel and several poems. Debbie touched many lives and will be deeply missed. She could turn the world on with her smile.

Family: husband, Richard Aasen; son, Tanner Aasen; and daughter, Taylor Aasen, all of Mohall; sister, Kammey (Mark) Mahowald, Woodbury, Minn.; brother-in-law, Mike (Cheryl) Aasen, Sherwood; sisters-in-law, Judy (Tom) Gehringer, Mohall, Jerrie (Ron) Johnson, Mohall; aunts, Bev (Byron) Zingg, McClusky, Eloise Kuehn, Park Rapids, Minn.; uncle, Lynn Starck, New Salem; special colleague and friend, Mike Heilman, Burlington; many nieces and nephews.

Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Karilyn Kuehn; mother- and father-in-law, Roy and Virginia (Mayer) Aasen; her grandparents, Martha, Carl, and Esther Kuehn, and Ralph and Helen Nelson; uncle, Melvin Kuehn; and aunts, Elaine Ivanecky and Betty Starck.

Funeral: Thursday, May 21, 2015, at 1 p.m., at Zion Lutheran Church, Mohall.

Burial: Mohall Community Cemetery, Mohall.

Sharing of Memories Service: Wednesday, May 20, 2015, at 7 p.m., at the church.

Visitation: Wednesday, noon to 5 p.m., at Brose Funeral Home, Mohall.