Deborah "Deb" Gaikowski, 59, of Waubay died Saturday, July 21, 2012 at Jenkins Living Center, Watertown of cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 Wednesday, July, 25 at Waubay High School Gym, Waubay. Burial will be in Waubay Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be at Coester Funeral Home, Webster on Tuesday, July 24 from 1-4 and will resume again from 6-8 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Waubay with a Rosary Service at 7.

Deb was born April 3, 1953 in Winner, South Dakota to Kenneth & Colleen Taggart. She graduated from Winner High School in 1971 and then graduated from Presentation College in Aberdeen with a Special Education Teaching Degree.

Deb met her husband Dean at the 12 Spot in Waubay, South Dakota and they were married on July 14, 1973. Together they raised five children on their farm north of Ortley. Dean and Deb's love for each other and their family was one of a kind.

Although Deb's life was ended at a young age she enjoyed gardening, flowers, decorating, dancing, entertaining friends and family, and spending time at her summer cabin on Blue Dog Lake. Deb was also very active in the Hi-Hope Extension Club, church groups, CCD education, and her community. She is very well known as the Premier Designs "jewelry lady" for Eastern South Dakota. Deb always enjoyed their evening drives "around the block" and bringing up the cattle drives in the red jeep loaded down with grandkids. One of Deb's greatest loves was attending her kids and grandkids sporting and rodeo events. Her commitment to her family was unconditional and truly very special. Deb always had a contagious smile and compassion for life, her family, and her faith.


Deb is survived by her mother Colleen Abernathy of Spearfish, SD. loving husband Dean, daughter Tari (Troy) Korthour and kids: Kyle, TJ, Trevan, Riley of Watertown, SD, son Justin (Amy) Gaikowski and kids: Tate, Seth, Tripp, Sage of Waubay, SD, daughter Susie (Darren) Benike and kids: Regan, Brandon, Alayna of Castlewood, SD, son Paul (Amber) Gaikowski and kids: Cash, Krew of Waubay, SD, son Glenn (Misty) Gaikowski and kids: Tigh, Teegan, Trace of Waubay, SD. Three brothers and three sisters.

Deb was preceded in death by her father Kenneth "Pat" Taggart, step-father Bernie Abernathy and grandparents Glenn and Marie Woods.