Lincoln Resident Debra Crowther, 71, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at Bryan West Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska. In keeping with her wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 13, 2026. The family will share more details as the date approaches.

Memorials may be sent to the family at The Nebraska Cremation Society 911 N Linden St. PO Box 127, Wahoo, NE 68066. Memorials will be used to purchase a memorial bench in honor of Deb. The memorial bench will be at Pawnee Lake State Recreation Area. That is where Deb spent countless hours with her young children each summer and enjoyed family camping there with her children and grandchildren.

Debra Sue (Sullivan) Crowther was born June 7, 1954, in York, Nebraska to Josephine Lucille (Kinnison) Sullivan and Richard Oliver Sullivan. Debra attended Lincoln Public Schools and graduated with the class of 1973 from Lincoln Northeast High School. After high school she enjoyed many different occupations. Her most recent being a volunteer at the City Mission Distribution Center. Her heart was full of love, and she always enjoyed helping others. She made those around her feel valued and loved.

Deb was united in marriage with Philip Dennis Wilkason on August 26, 1976. This marriage was blessed with 6 wonderful children: Philip (Aaron), Angela, Carolyn, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Thomas. Deb had a special relationship with each of her children and grandchildren. Deb enjoyed music, whether she was singing or just listening. She enjoyed many music concerts with her longtime partner, Jimmy Pananos. She was an avid Husker football fan, enjoyed her flowers, camping trips with her family, and hanging out with her dog Blossom.

Debra is survived by her children; Aaron (Farah) Wilkason, Angela (Mark Smith) Wilkason, Carolyn Wilkason, Sarah (Ryan) Behrends, and Thomas (Alex) Wilkason all of Lincoln, Nebraska; fifteen grandchildren: Emma, Taylor, Kaeleigh, and Kooper Wilkason, Alysea Wilkason and Donovan Delaney, Brian Wilkason, Nickolas Douglas, and Olivia Kent, Trevor, Ava, and Jacob Behrends, and Riley, Airiana, and Jaxon Wilkason; 1 great grandchild: Silas Shelly; 2 brothers: Mark Wright and Denver Beetem, along with several nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her daughter Elizabeth Wilkason, her partner Jimmy Pananos, widow Lyle Crowther, and ex-husband Philip D. Wilkason.