The funeral service for Debra Kay Villarreal, formerly of La Crosse, Wis., will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Theodore Catholic Church. The Rev. Timothy T. Reker and Deacon Mike Ellis will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service and one hour before service at the church. Interment will be in St. Theodore Catholic Cemetery.

Debra Kay Villarreal died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea, after fighting a courageous battle of cancer. She was 57 years old.

Debra Kay Villarreal was born on May 8, 1954, in Albert Lea, the daughter of Albert and Isabel (Perez) Villarreal. She was baptized and was a member of the St. Theodore Catholic Church at the time of her death. Debbie lived in La Crosse, Wis., where she was known as Taco, where she had many great friends who she loved spending time with. They meant the world to her. She spent her Sunday afternoons cooking and having wine while watching the Vikings and Packers football games.

When Debbie moved back to Albert Lea in her last few months, she dearly missed her friends in LaCrosse.

Debbie is survived by her parents: Albert and Isabel Villarreal; siblings: Linda (Reuben) Escherich of Clear Lake, Iowa, Roseline “Lolly” (Gordon) Hacker of Albert Lea, Bill (Jayne) Villarreal of Albert Lea and Cindy (Gary) Henningson of St. Croix, Wis.; many nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

Debbie was preceded in death by her grandparents: William and Mary Villarreal, Elicio and Josephine Perez; and her very special nephew, Ryan Escherich; and many aunts and uncles she adored.