Debra S. Andera

Debra S. Andera, age 67, of Yankton, South Dakota, died on Sunday, December 1, 2019 at her home. Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 AM, on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton with Reverend Larry Regynski officiating. Inurnment will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Yankton. Visitation is from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, on Friday, December 6 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with a vigil service at 7:00 PM. Visitation continues one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Pallbearers are her grandchildren: Alexa Walters, Cole Roth, Keaton Roth, Carmyn Andera Peterson, Kenidi Andera, Grayson Roth, Myah Walters, Kyleigh Andera and Abigail Andera. Honorary pallbearers are all of her past and present “family” at Lincoln Elementary School. Deb was born June 8, 1952 in Yankton, South Dakota to J.W. “Woody” and Bernetta (Nelson) Vollmer. She grew up in Yankton, graduating from Yankton High School in 1970. Deb attended Yankton College and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. She later received her Master’s Degree in Education from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. On January 29, 1972, Deb married Larry Gortner. They were later divorced and on February 7, 1987, she married Tom Andera. Together, they raised four children: Alyssa (Gortner) Roth, Trisha (Andera) Walters, Tyler Andera, and Rachel (Andera) Ness. Deb taught in the Yankton School District her entire career, most of that time teaching 3rd grade at Lincoln School before retiring at age 62. She then enjoyed three years of substitute teaching until she was diagnosed with cancer. Deb loved art, drawing, painting and was an avid reader. She was very involved in the Art Adventure Program at Yankton Public Schools and loved to make cards for any occasion for her family and friends. She was an active member of a book club, enjoyed stamping parties with friends, and watching her grandkids in their many activities. Deb was very patient, hardworking, kind and compassionate and loved visiting with others. She was strong and positive, even through her illness. She adored her grandchildren and loved her family above all else. Deb will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Deb is survived by her husband, Tom Andera of Yankton; four children: Alyssa (Darrin) Roth of Yankton, Trisha (Matt) Walters of Blackhawk, SD, Tyler (Maggie) Andera of Yankton and Rachel (Arron) Ness of Yankton; nine grandchildren; two brothers, Jim (Mary Sue) Vollmer of Avon, SD and Tom (Natalie) Vollmer of Yankton; one sister, Andrea (Dewey) Plautz of Yankton; sister-in-law, Cynthia Vollmer of Springfield, SD; and many nieces and nephews. Deb was preceded in death by her parents; brother, David Vollmer; and her great-nephew, Joseph Livingston. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Palliative Medicine at Avera Sacred Heart Foundation: 501 Summit St Yankton, SD 57078.