Debbie Ann Baumgartner, died peacefully at home February 14, 2026, surrounded by family and friends, nineteen months after a diagnosis of metastatic rectal cancer.

Deb is survived by her wife, Stephanie Anne Murphy, her sisters Donna Stemler, Darlene “Dee” (Dave) DeRousse, nieces Jessica (Bob) Donovan and Sara (Eric) Maxey, nephews Derik (Dawn Hicks) and Dustin DeRousse, grandniece and grandnephew Libby and Drew Donovan, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Beth Murphy and Jason Bollinger, heart-daughter and heart-son-in-law Shannon (Metts) and Spencer Collins, and bestie Jeanna Kasten (Rose Ullman).  She is preceded in death by brother Mark, parents Irene (Gebhardt) and William “Bill” Baumgartner, and brother-in-law Ron Stemler.

Deb was born November 20, 1969, the surprise fourth child of Irene and Bill.  She first became an aunt when she was just seven, beginning a lifelong love of babies and children.  She was affectionately known as “Tidy” by her adored brother Mark, reasons best known to him.  His regular tag-along, at the tender age of ten Deb was devastated by Mark’s loss, which she never really processed.  Listed as “bossy” and criticized for helping other too much on elementary school report cards, Deb was a chatty and energetic child.

Deb loved planning surprises or finding the perfect gift and was always thinking about how to make people happy, especially Steph, her partner since 2014, and wife since 2019.  She loved new experiences just as much as new people and was always ready for the next adventure, whether in the workplace, on the road, or inside her heart and mind.  She sought to be both grounded and open and grew devoted to self-improvement.

Deb never met a stranger.  She loved living in St. Louis city with its diverse culture and many people.  She loved getting to know someone on a personal level and wouldn’t hesitate to start a conversation with anyone.  She was genuinely curious about people’s lives and thoughts and had a way of making everyone feel special and heard.  She was passionate about cooking, experimenting with new cuisines, new seasonings, new techniques, but to Deb the best thing about cooking was her joy of sharing food with others.

If life is measured by how much love we put out into the world, then it almost makes sense that Deb reached her “quota” so young, because she loved so many so deeply.

A Celebration of Life will be held April 4, from 2-8pm at the Stone Shelter in Tower Grove Park (St. Louis City).  For more information and RSVP click this link.