Deborah L. Mackling

Deborah L. (Frye) Mackling, 58, of Emerson, Nebraska, passed peacefully from this life into the loving arms of the Lord at her home on August 8, 2012. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 11, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Emerson, with the Rev. Gretchen Ritola officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Emerson, Nebraska. Deb was born on November 27, 1953, in Omaha, Nebraska, the daughter of Orville and Donna (Trevett) Frye. She lived in Ashland, Nebraska until the family moved to the family farm near Allen, Nebraska. She went to school in Allen and later Emerson High School. There, she met the love of her life and best friend Lloyd Mackling. Deb and Lloyd were married on March 13, 1971 in Yutan, Nebraska. They made their home West of Emerson on the farm they worked and cared for, side by side, for 41 loving years. One daughter, Stacy Renee (Mackling) Pflanz, was born to this loving union on September 11, 1971. Deb worked for the United States Department of Agriculture as an inspector at the Michael Foods plant from 1987 until her death. She loved the work that she did, and all the friendships that she made. The joy of her life was her family. She always placed her family before herself, always caring for and loving them. Deb found pleasure in making afghans and crocheting beautiful works of art for her family. Works that they will treasure always. Her love of Nebraska football was known to all. One knew never to call her on game day until after the game. She loved being on the farm, working with Lloyd, taking care of the many animals they raised. Most especially she loved the horses, and her beloved dog Sophie. She was most proud of her two grandchildren, Shelby Lynn and Michael Alan Pflanz. You only had to talk with her to know the love and pride she had for each of them. They were blessed to not only call her their "Grammy", but also their best friend. Left to honor and remember her always are her best friend and husband, Lloyd Mackling, of Emerson, NE, daughter and beloved son-in-law Stacy and Rich Pflanz of Wilber, NE, grandchildren Shelby and Michael Pflanz of Wilber, brother and sister-in-law Ted and Sherry Frye of Yutan, NE, brothers-in-law and their spouses: Chet and Cindy Mackling, Dale and Colleen Mackling, Al and Sue Mackling, Jess and Deb Mackling, and Louie Mackling, sisters-in-law: Laura Mackling, Deb Chamberlain, and Karen Welsh, uncle, Forrest Trevett, aunts: Margaret Vilda and Betty Kaupa, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Deb was preceded in death by her parents, Orville (Bud) and Donna Frye, an infant son, grandparents William and Opal Trevett and Theodore and Gladys Frye, brother-in-law Eugene Mackling and many friends.