Deborah “Deb” Kathryn Payton

Deborah “Deb” Kathryn Payton

June 23, 1949 – March 10, 2021

Deborah “Deb” Kathryn Payton, 71, of Omaha, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2021.

Deb was born on June 23, 1949 to Robert and Marie Gilbertson in Parkston, South Dakota.  Deb and her family moved to Perry, Iowa in 1954.  After graduating from Perry High School in 1967, she went on to study at Northwest Missouri State University and later graduated from the University Nebraska-Omaha with a degree in elementary education.

She taught elementary school in Omaha Public Schools for seven years.  She left the education field in 1982 to pursue a career in sales which aligned greatly with her god given strengths.  She spent the early part of her sales career in pharmaceuticals and other healthcare related companies.  The last part of her sales career was the one she loved most as Nebraska’s “Beanie Baby Queen”.  As the wholesale rep for Ty Inc. in Nebraska, she had great joy in not only selling the product at the height of its popularity, but more importantly, she was able to help small, family-owned gift shops, pharmacies, and other stores throughout the entire state have business success that was previously unimaginable.  Always a teacher at heart, she kept her teaching license current throughout her career and after retiring from sales, she loved being a substitute teacher in OPS for many years until her health prevented her from working.

Deb married her high school sweetheart, Jerry Payton, on December 24, 2001.  They resided at Lake Panorama at Panora, Iowa until 2015 when they moved to Omaha.  Deb was always the life of the party and enjoyed hosting many gatherings and holidays at her homes.  Her philosophy was the more the merrier.  Even if that included total strangers at Thanksgiving or Easter; there was always a place at her table.  She loved cheering (or should we say yelling) at the many sports activities of her children and grandchildren.  You would always know when she was in the gym or at the ball field.  She made a brief coaching debut when the boys were younger and made quite the impression on the kids she coached.

She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren with many memories of crafts, fishing, boating, driving around in a golf cart, and grilling out.  She would also sing to the kids, her favorites included “Ink A Dink A Do”, “She’ll be Coming Around the Mountain”, and “Madgalena Hagdalena”.  Her grandkids would scream with delight as she would seem to do it at just the right time.  Finally, the flower sales, the legendary flower sales she would host in her driveway every year the week prior to Mother’s Day.   It was always one of her favorite weeks of the year seeing all her family, friends, and neighbors have the joy and appreciation for incredible spring and summer flowers to decorate outdoor living areas.

Deb was preceded in death by parents; husband, Jerry Payton; brother-in-law, James Bond. She is survived by sons, Todd Mosser (Kari), of Lincoln, NE, Matt Mosser (Jennifer), Mitch Mosser (Samantha) all of Omaha; eight grandchildren: Lauren, Charlie, Brinley of Lincoln, Max, Dane, Neal, Major, and Maddux of Omaha; sister, Glennys Bond; niece, Stephanie Moore (Scott); grandnieces, Caroline and Annabelle Moore, Kansas City, Kansas; and many more family members and friends.

The family requests that all flowers and notes be sent to Heafey Hoffman Dworak Cutler, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Nebraska, 68124.  There will be a private family service.  Memorials will be directed by the family.

To view a live broadcast of the Service, go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button on the home page after 2:00pm on Monday, March 15.

 

14 Comments

  • Dan and Katie Johnson Posted March 12, 2021 1:42 pm

    This earth lost the most amazing woman yet, Heaven is having a phenomenal celebration! Deborah blessed my life with 40-some years of friendship. She made each day better with her presence / her advice, contagious joy, loyal and loving heart. Oh so many memories… over a year (COVID) w/o seeing each other yet truly heart-to-heart conversations that I will greatly miss. I am not sure my heart will heal with this loss – I was so looking forward to in-person time after our shots. The song keeps playing in my mind “One More Day” – if only we had one more day.. There will never be another Deb! “There are no words”…

  • Joe & Ginny Dyess Posted March 12, 2021 1:50 pm

    We are very sorry to hear of Deb’s passing. She was a beautiful woman inside and out. We always looked forward to spending time with her during the holidays. We all liked doing the crafts with her grandkids. She will be missed! May God give her family comfort during this sorrowful time. We Send love and hugs to All of You! Joe & Ginny Dyess

  • Todd & Deanna Mitteis Posted March 12, 2021 3:42 pm

    Debbie was just a joy to be around, raised three wonderful sons. She never met a stranger and was loved by many with the exception of some umpires or referees of course. May peace be with you Deb!

  • Dick & Jo Larson Posted March 12, 2021 9:28 pm

    Deb’s radiant smile and laughter may have left this earth, but will remain in our hearts and minds forever. Deb loved and lived for her sons, daughter-in-laws and grand children. Our condolences to the entire Mosser family.

  • jennifer hanigan Posted March 13, 2021 12:52 am

    It was a hot minute that I actually spent fun times with Deb but that hot minute left a lasting impression of inclusivity and “the more the merrier” as described in this obituary, which is so fantastic.. What an awesome set of boys she created and influenced. So sorry for your loss. Xo

  • Kathy Kaufman Posted March 13, 2021 1:51 pm

    I have so many memories of the times when the Mosser boys were young and watching them grow up to become handsome successful men. Your mom was a great friend and always the life of the party. I am so sorry for your loss.

  • Tom Burt Posted March 13, 2021 2:11 pm

    Remember the first time I met Deb when in college with Mitch. She would have our team over for dinner and treated all of us like she’d known us for years. She was enthusiastic to the core and her energy rubbed off on all those around her. Never a dull moment with Deb around. A total classic who broke the mold. RIP Deb!!!

  • Nancy Videtich Posted March 14, 2021 9:05 am

    Deb was a one of a kind, unique, fantastic gal..always so full of life and fun, ideas, activity and spunk. She was the best friend and acquaintance and stranger to anyone she was ever around.
    She taught me so much about how to raise a family properly, full of education, love, inspiration, guidance and being their “go to” for strength, advice, caring and loving ways. She taught me SO much!!. Her personality and positivity was infectious and how she cared for those she loved with a huge heart was so attractive about her inside and out. Always inclusive & encouraging of all!
    I just can’t say enough about the wonderful woman she was. Deb-we love you. We will continue to hear your cheerleading voice in our minds to keep us going without your earthly presence with the joy you put into our hearts.
    Sympathy, hugs and strength to you all as you say goodbye to the best.
    All of our love, The Videtichs 🙂

  • Paul and Barb Wilson Posted March 14, 2021 10:38 am

    Todd, Matt, Mitch and Families. We are so sorry to hear about your mother. She was the greatest and our favorite cousin. You have our deepest sympathy.

  • Janeen Cox Posted March 14, 2021 11:08 am

    We will all miss Deb so much!! She lived life to the fullest. She loved her family, shopping, garage sales, decorating for the holidays, going out to eat, organizing a get together at Aksarben and talking about her grandchildren❤️ I enjoyed spending time with her as there was never a dull moment with Deb. 😍

  • Larry and Ollie Abraham Posted March 15, 2021 9:42 am

    Deborah was my fun loving cousin from Iowa. She would come to visit Grandma Gilbertson in Madison, South Dakota . Because she might get homesick, I got to stay too! Fun childhood memories.
    She was so proud of her boys, their spouses and especially her grandchildren. We had many phone conversations catching up on what our grandkids were up to over the years.
    She was such a lady…a heart of gold and family, old or young was important to her.
    Deb, we never got to have that big Hegdahl/Gilbertson reunion we were hoping for on earth, but we will have it in Heaven!
    Special hugs to the family snd especially Glennys💕

  • Julie Conaway Boyles Posted March 15, 2021 2:09 pm

    I am one of “the 12” Perry girlfriends. The memories of our times growing up and going to high school together are ones that will never leave my heart. You boys did your Mom proud with the service you held for her. Your Mom truly was the life of the party, everyone was drawn to her, even when we were growing up. Oh the slumber parties we would have! I will cherish our friendship forever. My deepest sympathy to you all.

  • Louisa McConnell Posted March 15, 2021 7:02 pm

    Deb lived around the corner from my dad for the past few years and I am so glad I was able to know her. She lifted many spirits with her friendly and outgoing personality, and as my dad said, she will really be missed. My kids always looked forward to seeing her holiday displays outside her door on the way to visit their grandpa and she went all out for every holiday. She had a way with kids, and whenever we ran into Deb, she would always ask us how we were doing, how school was going. Every year she bought girl scout cookies from my daughter and taught her how to count back the change from her first cookie sale. She was a good friend to my dad and a wonderful person. My deepest sympathy to your entire family.

  • David Blake Willis Posted April 6, 2021 7:07 pm

    Our Deepest Condolences on Debbie’s passing… One of the most wonderful people we knew growing up in Perry, Iowa… Such a sweetheart, so inclusive – the definition of inclusivity for all. She will be greatly missed. We send our prayers and sympathies for the family from Osaka, Japan….

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