Debra Sue "Bunk" Hill

Debra Sue “Bunk” Hill passed away peacefully in the presence of family on January 5th, 2025.

Debra was born on April 6th, 1954, in Des Moines to Ned and Norma Jean "Jeanie" Hill. Bookended by her brothers, Gene and Jeff, she had a tomboy disposition that did not shy from confrontation and mastered the art of the bearhug to support her point. She was a devoted person, spending multiple years working at Benson's root beer stand, Pickwick Records, and Wellmark Blue Cross, and making lifelong friends at each one. She was even more devoted to her family who she loved dearly. A perpetual bachelorette, she treated her niece and nephews as her own children and made all efforts to spoil them as such. Through a twist of fate these niblings dubbed her 'Aunt Bunk' and she proudly wore the name from then on.

Bunk had many interests and passions that she enjoyed sharing. She was an avid traveler in her life, often taking road trips and other sojourns, and was forever a kid at heart, loving Godzilla, Dragon Ball, Transformers & various other cartoons, sci-fi & fantasy, mythology, John Wayne, the WWE, and all manner of collectibles. The Iowa State Fair was a thrill for her every year, where she enjoyed pineapple whips and playing the coin pusher games on the midway. A lifelong moviegoer, she always ordered popcorn at the theater and snuck in her own candy. She was especially fond of music with a diverse taste running from classical to doo wop, disco to rock'n'roll, and especially musicals - The Sound of Music being her particular favorite.

Deb was a sports enthusiast from a young age - from watching her father drag race, to going to the local wrestling matches where she fondly recalled the antics of Danny Little Bear and Rufus R. Jones. She enjoyed roller derby, played softball, and loved hockey, supporting the long-gone Des Moines Capitols hockey team ecstatically (with a collection of ticket stubs to prove it) and pouring herself a rare drink when the New York Rangers broke their 40-year champion curse in 1994. Later in life her younger nephews taught her the science of football and she became hooked, eagerly anticipating each season.

Her love knew no bounds. At any moment she was ready to help her loved ones however she could, even if it was outside her means to do so, and her generosity and bountiful spirit will be forever remembered and missed. She is preceded in the hereafter by her parents Ned & Norma and her brother Gene. She is survived by her brother Jeff (Judy), her nephews Sam (Maria), Gene Ed, Stephen, Christian, KaLani (Alex), niece LeiNani, and all their children.

A celebration of life & luncheon will be held on Sunday, January 26th at Scenic Route Bakery (350 E Locust St Ste 104, Des Moines, IA 50309) from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with a memorial service to follow from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.Hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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