Debra Sue Kuster-Teerlinck

KEWANEE – Debra Sue Kuster-Teerlinck, 61, of Kewanee, died at 1:20 a.m., Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at Kewanee Care Nursing Home in Kewanee.

Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 29 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee with the funeral services following at 11:00 a.m.  Father Jerry Rafalko will officiate with eulogy brought by her brother, Terry Kuster. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Kewanee Veterinary Clinic, 206 Townsedge Rd (Dr. Chris Ryan & Dr. D.R. Moder) or Kewanee Humane Society (Cats and Kittens Division). 

Debra was born October 12, 1957 in Kewanee, the daughter of Alan and Imogene Kuster. She married Louis P. Teerlinck of Galesburg on December 13, 1977 in Kewanee.  They were married for almost 22 years.  Louis passed away on November 20, 1999.  Also, she was preceded in death by her father (Alan), and a brother, (Timothy).  Surviving are her mother, Imogene Kuster of Kewanee, three brothers, Bruce Kuster of Shelton, WA, Mark Kuster of Kewanee, IL, and Terry Kuster of Davenport, IA, and a sister, Twyla Tholin of Kewanee, and a foster-sister, Tamara Gordon-Stoner.  She had many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. 

After marrying Louis Teerlinck on December 13, 1977, the couple made their home in Rome, IL, while the couple built their home in Chillicothe, IL.  Debra was a needlepoint and counted cross-stich artisan.  She loved making cross-stitched plaques and pictures and giving them away as gifts.  While living in the Chillicothe area, Debra owned and operated Elegant Stitchery, her own business.  They lived there many years until Louis’s health declined forcing them to relocate in Kewanee. Debra remained in Kewanee after Louis’s death on November 20, 1999, eventually settling into the Hollis House.

Debbie was also a talented musician starting in grade school with a coronet.  She upgraded her talent to playing trumpet. She then learned how to play the bugle. For many years Debra played taps at funerals, Kewanee Memorial Day Services and wreath laying ceremonies for the Kewanee VFW Post 8078 Color Guard.  On September 4, 1999, Debra’s bugler talents were utilized for the dedication ceremony of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Moving Wall Dedication Ceremony at the Kewanee National Guard Armory.  Debra played taps every night as the colors were lowered.  Many who were present were blessed to hear Debra play taps from St. Mary’s cemetery. Her beautiful rendition echoed off the front of the National Guard Armory walls creating her own echo.  Anyone who really knew Debra knew she was a true patriot and respected all branches of the US Armed Forces.

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