Debra Montgomery 1953-2025

Debra Montgomery passed away Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in San Francisco, Calif.

Debra was born June 9, 1953, to William (Jr.) and Ruth Montgomery. She grew up in Holton, attending Colorado Elementary School and Holton Junior and Senior High School. In 1973 she moved to Minnesota and was one of the first women to work in an iron mine.

She later moved to California, where she met and married Mark Chu, with whom she had her lovely daughter, Sarah. Her intelligence, wit, and curiosity took her many places with her career, including being accepted to medical school in St Louis, Mo., at the age of 42.

In the Bay Area, she worked as an IT project manager and moved her way up in the tech industry with jobs at Levi’s, Berkeley Systems, Leapfrog, Walmart.com, Disney Games and the City of Berkeley. She retired from the city in 2021 and traveled around the country. She spent her last decade with the love of her life and husband, Frank Harris.

Survivors include her daughter, Sarah, in Seattle, Wash.; husband, Frank Harris, in San Francisco, Calif.; brothers David in Victoria, Texas, Ron in Angleton, Texas, and Dee, in Pearland, Texas; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Her sister Kathy predeceased her in 2023.

Deb made so many friends throughout her life. Her concern for others and her bright twinkling eyes and smile drew people in. She maintained friendships with classmates she knew from elementary school through high school and looked forward to getting together with them. Deb was a true friend and mentor, a generous person and a positive spirit. She was a great example of how to live in this world.

Services will be announced at a later time, but will be held in Holton. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation to CaringBridge.

(PAID OBITUARY)