Debra Marie Grundner

Debra Marie Grundner, of Bay City, MI passed away peacefully Wednesday April 3, 2024 with her family by her side.

Debra was born in Pontiac, MI on February 16, 1954, the youngest daughter of Stanley and Charlotte (Malek) Sitkowski. Debra graduated from T.L. Handy High School in 1972 where she was part of the synchronized swimming team.  She retired from the State of Michigan, working for the Department of Health and Human Services.  Debra was the mother of two daughters whom she loved dearly, Tara Grundner and Amanda (Ryan) Philipp.  Her love lives on in her three grandchildren whom she adored, Sydney Philipp, Declan Novak and Jaxon Philipp.  Debra was married to the love of her life, William “John” Grundner for 42 years before his passing on August 22, 2019.  

Debra loved her family and friends and took any opportunity to be able to cook for people.  Her family would often tease that Deb counted how many people were coming, add a zero to the end of that number and that is how many she would cook for.  She loved gardening and had quite the green thumb.  Even after many knee surgeries, and no longer being able to work in her flower beds, she turned her deck and home into a veritable conservatory.  She had a love of music and dancing with her favorite dance partner, John.  She and John also shared a great love of the outdoors and camping.  Any given weekend they could be found at their favorite spot in the woods with their friends.  

Debra is now reunited with her husband, William “John” Grundner; parents, Stanley and Charlotte Sitkowski; brother, David Sitkowski; sister, Carla Christie; sister-in-law, Judy Sitkowski; brothers-in-law, Robert Grundner and Greg Christie; and mother-in-law, Mildred Warden.

Her love and memory will live on with her family, daughters, Tara Grundner and Amanda (Ryan) Philipp; grandchildren, Sydney Philipp, Declan Novak and Jaxon Philipp; brother, Craig Sitkowski; sisters-in-law, Margaret Hart, Katherine (Dennis) Loyer, Patricia Sitkowski and Shawne Haddad; many nieces and nephews and their families that she loved dearly; her closest friends, Jorge ­­­Herrera, Lynne Stazak and many others; her beloved dog, Gus and cat, Maddie.

Memorial service for Debra will be taking place on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at the Gephart Funeral Home. Officiating will be Jane Grzegorczyk. The family will be present to receive visitors at the funeral home on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers and live plants, please consider making a memorial contribution in Debra’s name to the Bay County Humane Society.