Debbie Clapper

Debra Kay Clapper, 61, longtime resident of Ellensburg, passed away at the KVH Hospital on Saturday, April 21, 2018.

Debbie's celebration of life was held at the Red Lion Hotel in Ellensburg starting at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 28. A light lunch was served.

Debbie was born on February 17, 1957 in Newport, Washington to Dottie Chronic. Debbie grew up all over Washington including Deer Park, Longview and Ellensburg because of her father, Ryder Chronic's work with the Department of Natural Resources. She graduated from Ellensburg High School with the class of 1975. It was sometime during high school that Debbie was introduced to Jim Clapper and, the day after she graduated high school - June 4, 1975 - she and Jim were married. They remained in Ellensburg after their marriage and were blessed with three children - Jennifer, Jeanelle and Wesley.

Debbie's full-time job was being a mother - a role she took on very seriously. She was happiest when she was taking care of others and was known by many as "Mama Clapper." Debbie also worked as a dispatcher for 911, the DNR, and Plum Creek before ending up as an office manager at Mid State Co-Op for just over 10 years before she retired. In retirement, Debbie continued to make her family her number one priority. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, spending time in her garden tending to her antique roses as well as collecting gem stones. She was also a fan of Sunday afternoon drives in the woods, spending time by the river, family outings and was an avid huckleberry picker.

Debbie is survived by her husband of 42 years, Jim Clapper, at the family home in Ellensburg; daughter Jennifer (Jessee) Martin of Ellensburg and son Wesley (Tammy) Clapper of Spokane; grandchildren Kaydean, Spencer, Annalise and Tucker; siblings Rick (Cindy) Williams of Ellensburg; Kathy (Dan) Jolley of Colville; Tanya (Pat) Gigstead of Ellensburg, as well as her father Ryder Chronic of Colville. She was preceded in death by her mother, Dottie Chronic, sister Rhonda Chronic and daughter Jeanelle Deanna Clapper. Steward & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Ellensburg has been entrusted with caring for Debbie's family. Online condolences may be left at www.steward-williams.com