Deborah Lynn (Siemsen) Volavka,67, passed away October 12, 2024 in rural Sumner County. She was born October 12, 1957 in Ellsworth, KS to Robert and Jo Ann (Strube) Siemsen. She grew up on a farm 5 miles NW of Holyrood, KS with her younger siblings Steven, Roger and Julie. Debbie attended Holyrood Grade School, graduating in 1971. This was just a few months after her mother’s unexpected death. Debbie continued taking piano lessons which she started in 4th grade and organ lessons, which started in 8th grade. She got great satisfaction from accompanying school events while growing up, playing for many weddings and funerals, playing the organ and piano in Holyrood and Anthony churches, accompanying Anthony Community Christmas Cantata and playing for Argonia School music contests and events for many years.
She graduated from Holyrood High School in 1975. She attended Emporia State University, where she received her degrees in Music & Education.
She took a teaching job as a Home Economics teacher at Argonia High School after graduating in 1978. As fate would have it, this teaching opportunity led her to meet her future husband, Mike.
On June 1, 1979, she married Michael Volavka from Caldwell, KS. To this union were born- Jo Ann (Volavka) Hardaway, Kevin Volavka & Lyle Volavka.
She was a devoted farmer, working on the wheat & cattle farm with Mike and raising their 3 children.
In her spare time, she thoroughly enjoyed genealogy research, cross-stitch, making family Christmas stockings, baking, and decorating beautiful cakes and crafting beautiful cards for her family & friends. Together, Debbie and Mike also enjoyed researching and purchasing items they found on eBay. She was also a trustee on the Bluff Township board and the Czech Cemetery Board.
She was Mike’s California Girl and Midwest farmer’s daughter. She was deeply devoted and committed to her partner and true love.
Her main love was her family and she truly enjoyed every moment with each of them.
She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Mike, her daughter Jo Ann & Chris Hardaway of Cheyenne, WY, sons Kevin of Argonia, KS & Lyle of Caldwell, KS, Grandchildren to whom she was known as ‘Baba’- Zachary & Allison of Cheyenne, WY, Kodi & Kelsie of Argonia, Jase & Rhett of Caldwell, KS. As well as many loved family and friends.
Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, Robert & Jo Ann (Stube) Siemsen, Grandparents John & Ruby (Teel) Strube and Henry & Leora (Johansen) Siemsen.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at Schaeffer Mortuary in Caldwell, Kansas. Interment will follow at the Czechoslovakian Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Czech Cemetery and sent in care of the mortuary.
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