Debra “Deb” Woods, 66, of Arlington, Iowa, passed away Monday, October 12, at St. Luke’s Hospice Care in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

A celebration of life will be held at Miller Funeral Home – South Side (7400 S. Minnesota Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57108) on Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Condolences may be sent to the family through: 8414 Farm Road 180, Box #452, Las Vegas, NV 89131. Please honor Deb by spreading random acts of kindness throughout your day.

Debra Ann Woods was born on January 18, 1960, in Madison, SD, to Jake Jacobson and Joan (Wandell) Jacobson. She grew up in Montrose, SD, where she attended school throughout her life. She was the first in her family to attend and complete a 2-year degree in computer data processing at National College of Business. 

Debra was one of seven siblings and was blessed with 3 daughters, Nicole, Melissa, and Ashley, and eventually a daughter of the heart, Sierra Broussard. She lived in various cities in South Dakota, including Sioux Falls and Hudson before settling in Arlington, IA. While living in Hudson, she started her career caring for others while working at the Hudson nursing home. 

After her retirement, she spent her time passionately advocating for the rights of others. She was fiercely loyal, strong-willed, determined, and never afraid to stand up for what she believed in. When she got involved, she was like a dog on a bone, going all in. She loved having fun, laughing, and being a little mischievous along the way. 

Deb is survived by her daughters: Nicole (Emery) Redenius of Las Vegas, NV; Melissa (Martin) Rubio of Le Mars, IA; and Ashley (Justin) Peterson of Strawberry Point, IA; her grandchildren, Lexi Redenius, Kyra Dixson, Kenzie Dixson, Briana Rubio, Yesenia Rubio, Xzavier Rubio, Serenity Woods, Nevaeh Peterson, Jaelynn Peterson, and Sawyer Peterson; and her new great-grandson, Banks Rubio. Deb is also survived by her siblings. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Nancy Meade, and one infant granddaughter, Eliana Rubio.