Debra Susan Sletten Ramstead

Following a short illness, Debra Susan Sletten Ramstead of Great Falls, MT passed away on September 7, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones.

Debra was born on April 29, 1959, to Lyle W. Sletten and Patricia H. Schrage Sletten in Colorado Springs, CO while her family was stationed there with the United States Air Force. Deb grew up a self-professed “Air Force Brat” with her brother Joe, and their family traveled to many places and even overseas in Europe. Deb fondly remembered being stationed in England and Germany and all of her family’s travels while there. To this day she couldn’t pass up a German Bakery without stopping for some of her favorite breads. The family spent many summers or military breaks back “home” in Iowa on her grandparent’s farms that were a mile apart from each other. She had many memories and stories to always share of her times growing up in Iowa and getting into mischief with her cousins. Later, when her parents divorced, her father remarried, and she gained a new family with brothers and sisters who she adored and continued to grow in life with.

Debra Graduated from CM Russell High School in 1977 and met Richard Ramstead. Debra married Richard Van Ramstead on April 15, 1978, at St. Lukes Catholic Parish in Great Falls, MT. They had their daughter, Andrea, in July. Deb always joked that this was the shortest pregnancy in history. After a few years, Richard took a job as a diesel mechanic that eventually took the family to Gillette, WY for a time. During their time in Gillette, Deb became pregnant with their second child and the family decided it was time to move back home to Great Falls. In January of 1983 their son, Joshua, was born. Their family was complete. She spent her years raising her kids supporting their many activities, traveling for cheer with Andrea and football and wrestling for Josh, and she was definitely a crazy wrestling mom! Whatever her kids were involved in she was “all in,” including being the Tiger Cub pack leader for Josh. Most of all, she raised her kids with them knowing they were loved and could go to their mom, no matter what, for anything.  She was proud of the fact that she always made sure her kids felt like they never went without. Deb and Rich were married for 46 years. They grew from young kids starting their lives together to a couple with a lifetime of memories to look back on the life they built together. While they had their challenges in life, like any married couple, they loved each other deeply, and this was evident to anyone who watched the way Rich took care of Debra in the last few weeks of her life.

Deb loved spending time with her family and being outdoors, whether it be out on the river on the boat (that Rich restored) teaching the kids to water ski at “glassy” or “sandy” beach, camping, or at her favorite place on Earth, Mom and Frank’s at Flathead Lake. Many summers and 4th of July’s were spent on Woods Bay Point in Big Fork boating, fishing, and just spending time with her favorite people.

Deb also loved playing slow-pitch softball. A sport she played for over 25 years, and she was the best women’s pitcher in the state for a long time, so much so that when playing co-ed even men couldn’t hit her knuckleball. She played with the same women’s team for decades, 8-Ball Busch. This team brought many lifelong friendships and fond memories that everyone still talks about to this day. Her ladies are very important to her, and they have been there for each other throughout their life. As Deb and Rich’s kids got older, they played ball together on both the women’s team and co-ed teams. Deb may have hung up her cleats, but for the last ten years you could still find her at the fields cheering on her granddaughter, Ruby, who has inherited her love of softball.

Debbie’s grandkids were the light of her life. No matter what they were doing you could find her watching their sporting events, supporting their dance recitals or concerts, or any award ceremony they have going on. She always wanted each of her grandkids to feel important and know the special hold they have on her heart. They each had a special bond with her, and they will miss her dearly.

Debra is survived by her husband, Richard Ramstead; daughter, Andrea (Robert) Dean with grandkids Zachary and Ruby of Great Falls; son, Joshua Ramstead of Great Falls with grandkids Shayne of Pocatello, ID, Aria and Kash of Great Falls; her mother, Patricia Kraft of Great Falls; siblings, Betty Buck (Adam Vasiliou) of Annapolis, MD, John (Maureen) Sletten of Ogden, UT, Michelle Beaird of Tooele, UT, Mark (Lisa) Sletten of St. Jacob, IL, and Deneene (Rex) Lang of New Harmony, UT; her lifelong best friend and sister-in-law, Kerrie (Jerry) Ramstead of Great Falls and their family; sister-in-law, Todda Sletten of Salt Lake City, UT; and numerous nieces and nephews that she loved and adored with her whole heart; “like a daughter and son” Danielle and Alexis Miranda of Papillion, NE with their children whom she loved as her own.

She was preceded in death by her father, Lyle Sletten; stepmother, Lee Sletten; stepfather, Frank Kraft; and her brother, Joseph Sletten.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on September 21, 2024, at Holy Spirit Catholic Parish (201 44th St. South, Great Falls, MT 59404). A Celebration of Deb’s life directly to follow at Elevation 3330 in Great Falls (410 Central Ave 2nd Floor).

Memorials in honor of Deb can be made to Peace Hospice of Great Falls, through the Benefis Foundation or CM Russell High School Softball, in honor of Debra Ramstead (228 17th Ave NW Great Falls, MT 59404).