Debra Ernst

Debra “Debbie” Sue Schrooten Ernst, 68, of American Falls, Idaho, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2025. She was born on June 20, 1957, in Topeka, Kansas, to Beverly Newsome and Floyd Junior Schrooten.

Debbie grew up in Emporia alongside her brothers Mike (deceased), Kevin, and Brian. Some of her fondest childhood memories included playing softball, and one of her favorite photos of herself was taken in her softball uniform, proudly holding her ball and glove.

She attended nursing school and graduated in the late 1970s, beginning a lifelong career devoted to caring for others. Debbie worked at Newman Memorial Hospital and Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kansas; United Methodist Nursing Home in Topeka; and later at Pocatello Regional Hospital and the Pocatello Surgical Center. She often worked night shifts so she could be present for her children during the day. Her dedication to her patients was unwavering—she specialized in cardiac care and pacemakers, and she loved sharing stories of collaborating with doctors and nurses to diagnose, treat, and save lives. Helping people was not just her profession; it was her calling.

Debbie was the proud mother of three children:
• Chi Anne Smith McGrew (Tom) of Okinawa, Japan, and grandchildren Holden, Hope, Hadley, and Harper
• Sally Marie Smith Saucedo (Randy) of Newport News, Virginia, and grandchildren Anthony (great grandson Ryder), Jonathan, and Marcela
• Adam Ernst of Pocatello, Idaho

For the past 12 years, Debbie made her home in the American Falls Housing Authority community, where she formed many close friendships. She also served as a homeschool teacher and mentor, guiding students through advanced studies and helping them graduate from high school. She valued education deeply—especially for her children and the young people she mentored—and she often put their opportunities ahead of her own aspirations for further schooling.

Debbie cherished her memories of traveling with her grandmother Martha, family trips to Disneyland and Disney World, a special cruise, and more recent adventures to Glacier National Park and Sedona, Arizona.

A voracious reader and audiobook enthusiast, Debbie was known to devour books at a pace few could match—she likely read every book in the American Falls Library and then some. She was rarely without a story to dive into or a Diet Coke by her side.

She was also an exceptional cook, famous among family and friends for her unbeatable Swiss steak and potatoes, followed by her beloved no-bake chocolate cookies.

Above all, Debbie was a devoted mother. She was a constant presence at softball and lacrosse practices. Her children always knew she was in the stands, cheering them on.

Debbie will be remembered for her compassion, her humor, her fierce work ethic, and her boundless love for her family. She touched countless lives through her nursing, her mentorship, and her friendship. Her legacy lives on in her children, grandchildren, and all those who were fortunate enough to know her.