Debbie Dykhouse Obituary

Deborah (“Debbie”) Ann Dykhouse, aged 65, of Fairfield, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana, surrounded by her family, after a second battle with cancer. She was born on September 17, 1959, in Glendora, California to Marjorie and the late C.S. Cowles.

Debbie, as everyone knew her, was the sunshine that lit up the lives of so many. She spent her life as a wife, mother, teacher, school administrator, singer, gardener, and so much more, bringing love and joy to each person she met. Whether a stranger or someone she had known for fifty years, Debbie treated everyone as a close friend and shared her faith in Christ through that love.

After graduating with a teaching degree from Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho, Debbie taught elementary school in Horseshoe Bend, Idaho and Kansas City, Missouri before moving to Indianapolis to pursue a master’s degree in school administration at Indiana University - Indianapolis. There, she met her husband of thirty-six years, Richard “Rick” Dykhouse. She continued to teach, serve as a school administrator, and homemaker as she had two sons, Richard Ryan and Robert Reagen. Debbie then had her youngest, a daughter, Megan Ann, and transitioned to homeschooling her three children. Indianapolis was home for many years, and Debbie loved trips to the Indianapolis Zoo, the Children’s Museum, Connor Prairie, and Eagle Creek Park.

Debbie relished family relationships with her husband, children and extended family. Creating memorable trips and adventures were her specialty along with lots of smiles, laughter, music and conversation. Debbie loved to travel, often taking her kids on “edutainment” trips as part of homeschooling to Colonial Williamsburg, SeaWorld, and zoos across the country. Debbie was also known for visiting friends and family far and wide, no matter the distance or time apart. In the past two years, she made frequent trips to England to see her granddaughter, Tilly, and was the best Grammy ever.

Debbie had such a heart for those in need. In recent years, she was deeply involved in philanthropic work with her husband, with a particular focus on Christian education. Debbie served on Africa Nazarene University Foundation Board, Board of Trustees for Nazarene Theological Seminary, and Board for Lifeline Chaplaincy. Debbie and Rick were also committed to the mission of Olivet Nazarene University including the Center for Academic Excellence, the persistence programs and the renovation of Reed Hall of Science and Wisner Hall.

Debbie was a beautiful singer and served on music ministry teams and bands throughout the country, sharing her love and the love of God through music. She loved to organize music events and plays at schools and churches throughout her life. There was hardly a single day that passed without Debbie bursting into song.

Debbie is survived by her husband, Richard Raymond Dykhouse; three children, Richard Ryan Dykhouse (wife Laura Caroline Barbiea), Robert Reagen Dykhouse, and Megan Ann Conner (husband Joseph Conner); and one granddaughter, Matilda June Barbiea Dykhouse. She is also survived by her mother, Marjorie Cowles, her two brothers, Dean Cowles (wife Cheryl Cowles) and Dwayne Cowles (wife Traci Cowles), and sister Deanna (Cowles) Kinsman (husband Paul Kinsman) as well as her mother and father-in-law, Cynthia Ann Dykhouse and Robert Henry Dykhouse, Sr. and brother-in-law, Robert Henry Dykhouse, Jr. (wife Brenda Dykhouse). Debbie is preceded in death by her father, C.S. Cowles.

The family has planned a Celebration of Life service for Debbie at 2:00 p.m. CT at College Church of the Nazarene, Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, Illinois on February 22, 2025. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Olivet Nazarene University – Center for Academic Excellence, Shepherd Community (Indianapolis, Indiana), Africa Nazarene University Foundation, and African Mission Healthcare.

Thank you for your prayers and love for the Dykhouse family at this time.

For the donations in lieu of flowers, here are the links to the various organizations :

https://giving.olivet.edu/don…

https://shepherdcommunity.org…

https://africanazareneunivers…

https://africanmissionhealthc…

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