Deborah Marie Thompson Hower, 70, of Lake Viking/Altamont, Missouri passed away peacefully at home after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer on April 18, 2026. She was born in St. Joseph, Missouri on January 12, 1956 to Arlen and Helen Horner Thompson of Troy, Kansas. Debbie retired from Heartland Hospital (previously known as Methodist Hospital) after spending 29 years as a Certified Respiratory Therapist.
Debbie, and her husband Jeff, spent 44 wonderful years together traveling the world. Their adventures took them touring and sightseeing on 4 continents and included white water rafting, skiing, motorcycle touring, floating remote rivers, house boating and ocean cruising. Debbie had many hobbies including knitting, sewing, fishing, landscaping, home decorating, and quilting. She enjoyed using these talents to provide gifts for others. She also volunteered for the Veteran’s Home.
Debbie will be warmly remembered as a hard worker and a loving, caring wife and mother and grandmother. She loved all people, made friends easily wherever she went and above all always had a big, infectious smile on her face. Nothing brought more joy to Debbie than spending time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Gary Thompson and sister Janet Reeves.
She is survived by her husband Jeff Hower of the home and sons Eric (Bobbie) Meier and Arron Meier and brother Tim Thompson (Carolyn). Grandchildren include Brecken Meier, Kennnedee Meier, Brodie Meier, and Maison (Bree Patchett) Meier and great granddaughter Paisley Meler.
Debbie will be cremated and her ashes interred at Mt Olive Cemetery, Troy, Kansas alongside her brother and parents. No service is planned. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, yet to be determined. If anyone feels the need to make a donation please make it to the charity of your choice.
