Deborah Lynn Wagenseller (Hicks), 67, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, at home in Labadie, MO on January 6th.

Debbie was born December 6,1953 to parents Glenn and El-Vera Ruppel and raised in Chesterfield. She was the oldest of six children, including both twin and triplet siblings. In 1974, she married David Hicks and shortly thereafter, they moved to Labadie where they raised their two children, Jason and Sarah.  Debbie quickly became a stalwart member of the Labadie community, becoming friends with many of the old timers and farmers who had been in the area for generations.  She was a trove of knowledge of traditional crafts (especially quilting, weaving, embroidery, textiles) and history and constantly sought out the elders of small communities to learn about how things were done prior to the age of modern "luxuries."

Debbie spent 33 years as a special education teacher at Labadie Elementary and for the Washington School District where she had a special gift of being able to find the best way for each individual child to learn and help them achieve their full potential. She was a recipient of the WINGS Educational Foundation Award for outstanding service. Like her love of learning from her elders, she was equally passionate about teaching through both experience and modeling, and she created a "Yesteryears" program at her cabin in Labadie for children to come and experience what life was like prior to modern conveniences.

In 2010 Debbie married Robert Wagenseller and they spent their time gardening, tending bees, making maple syrup, crafting and creating projects.  She loved being with her grandchildren and passing her knowledge onto them.  She had a wide and loving "Circle of Friends" that she adored and loved to spend time with, sharing in each other's joys and creativities.

Debbie was preceded in death by her parents Glenn and El Vera Ruppel (Kinker) and first husband David Hicks.

She is survived by her husband Robert Wagenseller; daughter Sarah Hicks (Brian Miller); son Jason Hicks (Tara Brockman Hicks); grandchildren Cora Hicks, Ezra Hicks, and Jack Miller; and siblings Gale Mathis, Glenn Ruppel (Julie), Rick Ruppel, Ronny Ruppel, and Randy Ruppel.

A celebration of Debbie's life will be held at her Labadie homestead at a later date.

"I believe that the work of the hands are windows to the heart." -Debbie Wagenseller

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to the Labadie Community Association.

Labadie Community Association

PO Box 124

Labadie, MO 63055