Debra Jean (Feltmann) Budahn courageously fought pancreatic cancer (ampullary cancer of the vater) for over a year, and transitioned on July 3, 2024, surrounded by family. Debbie grew up on a dairy and poultry farm in Norwood, MN with her sisters Diana, Sue, and Nancy and brother, Kevin. There she met and later married her high school sweetheart, Gary Budahn (d 2009) in 1971. They were married for 38 adventurous years. Together they left MN’s corn fields for the horse pastures in Rolling Hills Estates, CA.

Ever since Debbie was a kid, all she ever wanted was to be a mother. She was blessed with three spirited children, Jenny Jean, Amy Jo and Michael John Budahn, whom she collectively called “JAM”. Debbie loved her children unwaveringly and leaned-in and supported their individual quirkiness.

Debbie was the proud owner of The Gusty Stable, a multi-record holding harness horse racing stable based out of Los Angeles, but traveled across the country, and even to Canada and New Zealand to race. She was also a Veterinarian Technician with her late husband’s veterinarian practice. There her cleverness and ingenuity as a horseman and vet tech shined – she always had a new invention or process to streamline their vet practice. She also managed a horse breeding program, where Debbie named several champions.

Debbie spent her retirement tending to her beloved plants and battling her arch nemesis, fungus gnats. She found love again, and is survived by Richard Dryden whom she married in 2013 in Sacramento, CA. They were married 11 happy years. Together, they were known as Grammi and Pappi and adored their four grandchildren.

Debbie will be remembered for her love of trying new recipes, fondness for plants, especially roses, and her way of making people feel special and seen. She was notorious for cutting out cartoons and sending them to people or would write jokes on her children’s lunchbox napkins. She shined when tending to the health and happiness of others. And wherever Debbie went, she created a warm and welcoming home with an open door and an open heart. Whether Debbie was laughing, singing, dancing, or hiding behind a book, she was most importantly living in the moment; she leaves behind a legacy of finding joy in life. And managing to brighten someone else’s day no matter the circumstances.

At Debbie’s request, in lieu of flowers, she’d like donations to be made in her honor to protect her beloved redwood trees through the Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods. Please honor her memory by brightening someone else’s day today, and always.

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