Deborah Kay Kloenne

Deborah Kay Kloenne, age 72, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away on Friday, April 10, 2026. Born to Jacqueline Kay and Frank Joseph Kloenne on December 25, 1953, Debby grew up in Dublin, Ohio. As a child, she loved big family gatherings in which her grandparents would famously make the card games more interesting by charging pennies to play. She remained an avid card player, being a sought out partner in Euchre. You could always count on Debby for one, and usually many more. Though she dropped the insistence that her nieces and nephews and, eventually, grandnieces and nephews pay to play, she continued the tradition of instilling a love of card playing in the younger generations. She never let you win, but she also didn’t seek to make you lose. She simply enjoyed the more important aspect of card playing: spending time together, making memories, laughing, and showing love. Showing love was one of Debby’s greatest attributes and biggest hobbies. She greeted everyone with a smile, a big hug, and genuine interest about their well-being. She never missed a birthday; she remembered the name of your best friend’s dog. And she likely bought them a toy or two, just because. While she had no children of her own, she was a second mother to all her nieces and nephews. She came to all the sporting events and theater performances that she could, always making them feel as though they were the star of the show. She remembered the seemingly little things that each one loved – favorite cartoon characters, new academic interests, etc. – and sought to share an interest in it. If it mattered to them, it mattered to Debby. Debby was a devoted partner to Colleen Galbraith since 198_. With their dear friends, Sheila and Charlie Sullivan, they enjoyed cheering on OSU football, going on annual vacations to Florida, and getting to their favorite destination of all as frequently as possible: New Orleans. They loved each other fiercely and held onto each other until Debby passed. She is survived by her loving partner, Colleen Galbraith; her sister, Kathy A. Schaefer; her nephew, Graham Schaefer; her niece, Audrey Schaefer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacqueline and Frank Kloenne. Burial ceremony will be held on Saturday May 9, 2026 at Noon at Glen Rest Memorial Estate, Reynoldsburg, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Debby Kloenne to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.

Deborah Kay Kloenne

December 23, 1953 - April 10, 2026