Deborah Canuteson

With grace and peace that can only be provided by our Lord, Deborah Kay (Fehler) Canuteson, 65 of Clifton, entered in to the arms of Jesus at MD Anderson on Friday, March 1, 2019 after a valiant eighteen-month battle with Multiple Myeloma. Deborah – also known lovingly by her family and friends as “Hootsie” – left her earthly body surrounded by family and listening to praise songs. She is surely rejoicing in heaven with loved ones who preceded her in death: her father, Charles Fehler; her brother, David Fehler; and her in-laws, Oren “Tookie” and Barbara Canuteson.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday, March 7, 2019 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clifton, Texas. Burial will follow at Norse Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 pm Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at Clifton Funeral Home. To celebrate the love Deborah had for art and for the beach, the family encourages all who attend her service to wear colorful attire.

Deborah was born on July 31, 1953 in Fredericksburg, Texas to Charles and Regina Fehler. Recent memories shared by her mother describe a childhood where Deborah grew strong in her Christian faith due in large part to the influence and guidance of her father, who gave her the nickname Hootsie. While in high school, Deborah met the love of her life, Jim Canuteson. She graduated from Clifton High School in 1971, married Jim in August of 1974, and graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1975. With a servant’s heart, Deborah spent many wonderful years in a profession she loved working in a variety of positions including as OR Supervisor at Goodall-Witcher Hospital for fifteen years and Clifton Medical Clinic Manager for her last five years, retiring in 2015.

Deborah was probably most well known for her creative talents in singing, acting, painting, photography, and playing the organ at Immanuel Lutheran Church. She loved traveling, especially to Rockport, Texas. The beach was her heaven on earth. She and Jim enjoyed sitting on the deck of their condo, drinking coffee and watching the pelicans glide across the sunrise. Hootsie’s memory will live on in the murals she painted throughout the years in their beachside condo. Flamingos – her favorite – will bring a smile to the faces of family and loved ones for years to come.

The family has steadfastly held on to a favorite quote of Deborah’s reminding us all to “Stand in Faith, even when you are having the hardest time of your life.”

Deborah’s legacy will live on through those who survive her: loving husband, Jim; son Wade, daughter-in-law Ashley, and their children Zane and Zoey; son Weston, daughter-in-law Mandi, and their children Charlotte and Colt; mother Regina Fehler; brother, Doug Fehler and wife Kristye; brother Doyle Fehler and wife Linda; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, extended family, and loved ones.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Guatemala Mission at Immanuel Lutheran Church at 911 W. 3rd Street, Clifton, TX 76634.

Condolences may be made at www.cliftonfh.com