Deborah Sue Nation

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Deborah “Debbie” Sue (Burner) Nation, 65, of Napoleon, who passed away peacefully and surrounded by love on June 26, 2025 at Ayden Healthcare of Wauseon after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Debbie lived her life to the fullest as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter and friend. Debbie was the embodiment of comfort, love, and grace. She leaves behind her greatest legacy of boundless kindness and unconditional love, carried in the hearts of everyone she called family. Debbie was born on July 8, 1959 to Paul and Glennadine Burner of Deshler, Ohio. She was a 1977 graduate of Patrick Henry High School, where she made friendships that lasted a lifetime. From there, she built a career at Campbell’s Soup in Napoleon for 43 years before reaching retirement in July of 2024. It was there, among the daily routines of work, that she met the love of her life, Randall “Randy” Nation. What started out as a shared workplace grew into a deep and lasting partnership, built on love, respect, and laughter. They were married on September 27, 1991, and went on to have an extraordinary life together. Debbie enjoyed decorating her home, spending summer weekends at Sunny’s campground, and spending time with her children and grandchildren, attending sporting events and watching them all grow. One of Debbie’s greatest passions was her role as the Tomato Festival Pageant Director for 12 years. With her daughter Christine by her side as her assistant, she enjoyed coordinating every detail of the pageant all the way from securing sponsors and contestant training to the little details like flowers and sashes. Debbie had a beautiful gift for making each young woman feel special, and her warmth and dedication helped create unforgettable memories for generations of girls in the community. Debbie leaves behind her loving husband of nearly 34 years Randy Nation, her children Danielle (Stacy) Demaline, Jerami (Lynette) Nation, Brandon (Alexis) Nation, Christine Baker Pease, James (Tillie) Nation, and Tyler Nation, her grandchildren Trinity, Talon, Kennedy, Reece, Jaxon R, Jaxon, Birkleigh, Aiden, Everett, James Jr., Charlotte, and Tate, her siblings Debbie Kay (Mark) Westrick, David (Lynette) Burner, and Darin Burner, along with many other family members and friends. Debbie is preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Glennadine Burner. Friends and family will be received at the Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home, Napoleon, on Sunday, June 29, 2025 from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at Emanuel Lutheran Church, Napoleon, on Monday, June 30, 2025 at 11:00 AM with an hour of visitation prior to services. Memorial contributions may be directed to the funeral home for the creation of “The Deborah Nation Tomato Pageant Scholarship.” Online condolences and messages may be shared with the family at rodenbergergray.com.

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Deborah Sue Nation

July 8, 1959 - June 26, 2025