Debra Lynn (Braathen) Nies, 68, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at her home in Mesa, AZ.
Deb was born on April 16, 1954, to Gordon and Marilyn (Oyos) Braathen in Devils Lake. She was the oldest of four siblings that were raised on the family farm near Starkweather. She graduated from Starkweather High School in 1972 and attended NDSCS in Wahpeton.
Deb was blessed with 3 wonderful sons: Chris, Eric, and Nick. She married Steve Nies in May of 1991, in Rugby. In 1994, they moved to Alamosa, Colorado, where they started a business that they ran together until the time of Steve’s passing in 2017. Over the years, they also bought homes in Mesa, AZ, and Michigan, ND. They enjoyed their winters in Arizona, rides together on the Harley, gardening, and spending time with family and friends, but especially their many grandchildren. After Steve’s passing, Deb split her time between Arizona and North Dakota. She was an active member of the Duffers Club in Michigan and her community in Mesa, Cypress Estates.
She is survived by her father, Gordon S. Braathen; children, Chris O’Brien (Lauren Schroeder) of Michigan, ND, Eric (Yvette) O’Brien of La Jara, Colorado, and Nick (Alyssa) O’Brien of Monte Vista, Colorado; grandchildren, Arianna, Tristyn, Jack, Justin, Justine, Brad, and Gage; sister, Marcia (Walter) Torning of Indianapolis, Indiana, brothers Gordy (Linda) Braathen and Kent Braathen of Grand Forks; mother-in-law, Mildred Nies of Wishek.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her mother, her father-in-law, Harold Nies, sister-in-law, Sandra Braathen, and her grandparents.
There will be a funeral on July 8, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Michigan Lutheran Church, to be followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michigan Memorial Cemetery.
