Deb's funeral was recorded and available at the following link: https://youtu.be/d1j4XkyowR8

Deborah Sparrow, 77, of Rural McClusky, died Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at the St. Vincent Nursing Home of Bismarck.  Arrangements are pending with Hertz Funeral Home of McClusky.

Funeral services will be held Monday, October 21, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, McClusky where visitation will be held on Sunday, October 20 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 5 p.m. also at the church. Burial will be in the Mercer Hillside Cemetery.

Deb was born on September 6, 1947, to Arnold and Mary Ann (Miller) Westerlind in Bismarck, ND. She grew up in Mercer, ND, graduating from Mercer High School in 1965. In 1969, Deb graduated from the University of North Dakota with a degree in Speech-Language Pathology. On June 21st, 1969, Deb married Terrance (Terry) Sparrow in Mercer. She worked in the Moorhead Public School system for one year, and following Terry's graduation from NDSU, they joined the Peace Corps. Their Peace Corps service took them to the Philippines, where together they assisted the Filipino residents in establishing agricultural practices. While living there they were able to travel and experience many parts of southeast Asia. In 1972, they returned to the United States and made their home on their farm in rural Mercer. There they welcomed three children, Keeya, Kipp, and Katherine (Kassie). Deb was passionate about her work as a speech therapist in the Goodrich, McClusky, and Turtle Lake-Mercer school districts. She was gifted at connecting with children and families, sharing her enthusiasm within her schools. She briefly left the school system to work at MedCenter in Bismarck, eventually returning to the schools where she worked until her retirement in 2011.

Deb was enthusiastic about her involvement in community and youth organizations. She was a 4-H leader, taught Sunday School, and played the organ at St. John's Lutheran Church. Deb was also a leader in many groups including the McClusky American Legion Auxiliary James Roberts Post #124, Mercer School Alumni, and Trojan Endowment Fund. She took immense pride in documenting the heritage of the Westerlind family & Centennial Farm. She spent many hours at Brush Lake in her youth and continued to enjoy this into her retirement. Deb loved to read; her book club was a favorite gathering in recent years. She was an avid gardener, an expert party planner, gifted cook and baker, people gatherer, and lover of her family. She was known for making all feel welcome and celebrated. She and Terry adored their 10 grandchildren and traveled extensively to attend their events.

Deb is survived by her husband of 55 years, Terry, and their three children: Keeya (Chad) Hager, Kipp (Megan) Sparrow, and Kassie (Brad) Bender. Those blessed to be her grandchildren are Hunter (Lauren), Karsyn, Kendyl, & Hudson Hager, Sophie, Daisy & Charlie Sparrow, and Olyvia, Ethan, & Eli Bender. She is also survived by her mother, Mary Ann; brothers, Gordon (Judy) Westerlind, Skip (Gayle) Westerlind, and Steve (Teresa) Westerlind; sister-in-law, Sandy Westerlind; her forever friend and sister by choice, Pam Lill; and many nephews and nieces. Deb was preceded in death by her father, Arnold, and brother, Fred.