Debra Sue Hutzel

Debra (Debbie) Sue Hutzel passed away peacefully at home on Monday, June 10, 2024 after a yearlong battle with cancer. Debbie was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on April 22, 1954. She attended elementary school in Macedonia, Iowa, junior and high school in Carson, Iowa and graduated from C-M Consolidated High School in 1972. Debbie moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1979. She worked for the City of Phoenix for 25 years and retired in 2021.

After her retirement, Debbie was a longtime volunteer for the Arizona Humane Society. Debbie, with her sister Lea, put together a team of women to make “kitten cozies” for neonatal kittens. This team will continue to make and donate cozies in Debbie’s honor. Debbie developed a community of friends in her neighborhood who walked their dogs together. This close community helped her find homes for her beloved dogs, Nucky, Ruby and Penny, before she passed away.

Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, John and Velma Schwinderman and her older sister, Marcia Zimmerman. She is survived by her sister Lea Baker (Vern), nephew Matt Baker (Tara), niece Ashley Ayars (Kyle), and great niece Claire Baker.

Debbie will be greatly missed by her family, friends and community. She will be remembered by all who knew her for her integrity, kindness and generosity.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Debbie’s name to PACC911 (PACC911.org), Arizona Small Dog Rescue (azsmalldogrescue.org) and the Arizona Humane Society (azhumane.org).