Debbie Finkbeiner Wittenbach, age 52 of Ada, died Sunday, November 29, 2015. Throughout her courageous battle with cancer, Debbie never gave up. She was known for her ability to never complain and she always maintained a brave and cheerful attitude under any circumstance. She taught all of us to live every day to the fullest and had a way of making others feel special. Debbie positively impacted everyone she encountered. Filled with joy, compassion and care for others, Debbie made many friends and was the ultimate volunteer. Debbie was the biggest fan of anything her children were involved in, went to every Forest Hills Central high school game and every Hope College game that her children ever played in. She was the team mom not to only her children but of every child on the team. She loved her son Stephen, daughter Allie, husband Steve, family and friends more than words can describe. Debbie Finkbeiner was born on January 15, 1963 to a loving family and grew up in Caledonia, MI where she attended Caledonia High School. She went on to study fashion merchandizing at Davenport College and interned at the “Happiest place on Earth,” Disney World. While working at JC Penney she bumped into Steve Wittenbach, who became her husband to be of 30 years. After years of relocating, Steve and Debbie made Ada their home where they raised their beautiful family. Debbie is survived by loving husband, Steve Wittenbach; son, Stephen James Wittenbach; daughter, Alexandra Marie Wittenbach; mother, Martha Maxine Finkbeiner; sister, Nancy Oosterhouse and brother-in-law, Vern Oosterhouse; in-laws, Mary and Tom Dewey and nieces and nephews, Nora, Nick and Charlsie. She was preceded in death by her father, Alfred Finkbeiner and in-laws, June and Everett “Steve” Wittenbach. For all of us who were blessed by Debbie in our lives, she will be remembered for her love of life, family and God, her incredible generosity, her positive energy and her determination. She will be missed beyond words but will live on in every kind gesture that we do for one another. She will want us to write a card for someone who is hurting, bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies for a job well done, or leave a bag of M&M’s on a friend’s doorstep when they need some TLC. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Thursday 11:00 AM at St. Robert of Newminster Church, 6477 Ada Dr. SE, Bishop Robert Rose and Rev. Leonard Sudlik, presiding. Visitation Wednesday 2-4:00 and 6-8:00 PM at the O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst, 3980 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, and one hour prior to the service at the church. In honor of her loving and generous spirit, The Wittenbach family would like all donations in her name given to The Van Andel Institute for cancer research or the Lemmen Holton Cancer Center. Thank you.
