Debra Ernst

Debra Sue Schrooten Smith Ernst, 68, of American Falls, Idaho was born June 20, 1957 Topeka, Kansas, she died December 25, 2025. Her parents are Beverly Newsom, Floyd Schrooten of Emporia Kansas. Her siblings are Mike (deceased) Kevin and Brian. Her first child is are Chi Anne Smith McGrew (49) (Tom McGrew) Okinawa/Japan; grandchildren Holden, Hope, Hadley, Harper. Second child Sally Marie Smith Saucedo (44) (Randy Saucedo) Newport News Virginia: grandchildren Anthony, Jonathan, Marcella. Third child is Adam Ernst (33) Pocatello, Id. 

Debbie was born and raised in Emporia, Kansas in 1957. She went to Nursing School and graduated in 1979. She worked at Newman Hospital, Emporia, Ks; Stormont-Vail Hospital, Topeka Ks; United Methodist Nursing Home, Topeka, KS; Manhattan Memorial Hospital, Manhattan Ks; Pocatello Regional Hospital, Surgical Center, Pocatello, ID. She often worked nights so that she could raise her children, She had many stories of working with other nurses and doctors to help patients. She specialized in cardiac care and heart pacemakers. She told stories of helping Doctors diagnosis and treat patients and save lives.

She lived in the American Falls Housing authority for 12 years and made many friends there. She was a home school teacher/mentor and helped several students excel in gifted studies and graduate from high school. She was loved and admired by her students. 

She enjoyed her memories of vacations she took with her grandmother Martha and family vacations to Disneyland, Disney World, A cruise to Mexico and her recent trip to Glacier National Park and to Sedona Az. She was a voracious reader and audio book listener. She probably read every book in the American Falls Library and then some.

She was a great cook. She really knew how to make a swiss steak and potatoes that could not be beat and then no-bake chocolate cookies to satisfy all. She was a dedicated softball/volleyball/lacrosse mom. She would work all night, then see her children off to school and take them to practices and games.