Debra J. Hjalmquist

Debbie passed away peacefully on March 8th with her sisters Doreen and Diane, and best friend Deb by her side. Debbie was born on September 10th, 1961 to Carl and Joan Hjalmquist in LaGrange, Ill. She graduated from Moorhead High School in 1979 and attended Concordia College. She worked at Hornbachers, then at BCBS of ND, until retiring in January of 2024.

Debbie lived her life with kindness, caring, and compassion. She had thee biggest most giving heart that was always filled to overflowing with love for everyone. She found joy in other people’s happiness. Debbie lived and loved to take care of others, always putting them first. She was a blessing to so many as a daughter, sister, cousin, friend. Debbie’s faith ran deep, and she was comforted by knowing God in her own special way. She shared this with Doreen and Diane in her final days. She believed in angels, as she herself was one.

Debbie’s passion was going to rummage sales and finding treasures, mostly old jewelry and buttons for her crafting, where she made many works of art. She was an enthusiastic Vikings fan, a crosswords queen, and a bookworm. She cherished Christmas, and she would shower everyone with gifts and games and prizes. Her talent for baking hundreds of cookies at Christmastime was unmatched, and she and mom would share them with neighbors and friends. Debbie adored gingerbread cookies and there was plenty of family fun frosting them. These are some of the priceless and precious memories of Debbie that we will all hold dearly in our hearts.

Debbie leaves behind her loving parents, Carl and Joan Hjalmquist, her loving sisters Diane (Wayne Brendemuhl) and Doreen (Jim Peters), brother Dave, special sister-in-law Mary, her treasured nieces and nephews, Tara Hjalmquist, Tyler (Joni, Griffin) Hjalmquist, Dan Brendemuhl, Erik (Alyssa, Quintin and Hazel) Brendemuhl, Adam (Friend Hailey) Brendemuhl, Amanda (Matt, Lee, Rory, Elizabeth, Nina) Johnson, Jason (Lauren, Hally Jo) Peters, also her BFF Deb Reif Reda, her good friend Linda Erickson, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Debbie blessed us with a legacy of love like no other. To help continue her legacy, please do acts of kindness whenever and wherever you can.

Her Celebration of Life service will be on Saturday, March 22nd at 11:00am with a visitation one hour before the service at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead, MN.

A livestream of the service will be available here on Debbie's page.

Interment will be at a later date.

Memorials can be made to Sanford Hospice House or the Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo, ND in Debbie’s name.