- Born on: September 5, 1957
- Departed on: August 29, 2026
- Resided in: Monticello, IA
Debbie “Mimi” Chapman
Debbie Lynn “Mimi” Chapman, 68, of Monticello, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, August 29, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
A Celebration of Debbie’s Life will be held at 4:00 PM on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the Monticello Golf Club.
Debbie loved bright colors, and her family invites everyone to wear bright, colorful attire to her Celebration of Life. September 5 was also Debbie’s birthday, making the day an especially meaningful time to gather and celebrate her life.
Debbie was born on September 5, 1957, in Monticello, Iowa, the daughter of Dave and Pat Norton. She was the youngest daughter and youngest child in the family and was affectionately known as her father’s “little boy” until the birth of her brother, Troy, nine years later, followed by her brother, Todd, another nine years after that. Debbie graduated from Monticello High School, where she was a talented athlete and excelled in basketball, running, and swimming. She was united in marriage to Lonnie Chapman on July 31, 1976, in Monticello, Iowa.
Debbie held various jobs until her children were born, after which she chose to stay home to care for and raise them. She also provided in-home daycare for several years. Once her children were grown and had “flown the nest,” Debbie made caring for Lonni her full-time job.
During this time, Debbie also became known as the “Hostess with the Mostest.” Her home became the hub for countless gatherings with family and friends. She was famous for her homemade Kahlua, as well as her barroom and patio, where everyone was always welcome.
Debbie loved to dance and often did so with her bare feet and eyes closed, completely lost in the music. She was a devoted groupie of Southern Comfort and later Crosscut. She also seemed to have a suspicious amount of luck at the casinos—her energy and good fortune appeared to make her a winner far more often than statistics would suggest.
Her candy jar was always full, and her greatest love was her family, including the many people she considered family even though they were not related by blood. Debbie transformed her backyard into an oasis for her grandchildren and treasured the family’s annual Christmas getaways.
Debbie was great at cards and games, especially euchre and rummy. She and Lonnie were a tough team to beat. She took great pride in her yard and flowers and loved decorating for the holidays. Debbie was also gifted in woodworking and enjoyed creating with her hands.
True to her Norton stubbornness, Debbie used her strength and determination to fight cancer for nearly a year.
Debbie is survived by her husband, Lonnie; her three children, Jennifer (Mark) Speltz, Clint (Andrea) Chapman, and Amber (Brian) Rance; and her grandchildren, Peyton and Marissa Speltz, Blake and Hudson Chapman, and Sawyer and Elora Rance.
She is also survived by her siblings, Julie Stiffler, Donna (Kyle) Wenndt, Troy (Ann) Norton, and Todd (Amity) Norton; her in-law siblings, Laurie (Dwight) Young, Dennis (Deb) Chapman, Tammy Sutterman, and Sheree (Keith) Doyle; as well as many nieces, nephews, countless family members, and friends.
Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, Dave and Pat Norton; mother-in-law, Mary Tschantz; her brothers-in-law, Terry Chapman and Steve Sutterman; and her beloved dog, Rebel.
A Celebration of Debbie’s Life will be held at 4:00 PM on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the Monticello Golf Club.
Debbie loved bright colors, and her family invites everyone to wear bright, colorful attire to her Celebration of Life. September 5 was also Debbie’s birthday, making the day an especially meaningful time to gather and celebrate her life.
Debbie was born on September 5, 1957, in Monticello, Iowa, the daughter of Dave and Pat Norton. She was the youngest daughter and youngest child in the family and was affectionately known as her father’s “little boy” until the birth of her brother, Troy, nine years later, followed by her brother, Todd, another nine years after that. Debbie graduated from Monticello High School, where she was a talented athlete and excelled in basketball, running, and swimming. She was united in marriage to Lonnie Chapman on July 31, 1976, in Monticello, Iowa.
Debbie held various jobs until her children were born, after which she chose to stay home to care for and raise them. She also provided in-home daycare for several years. Once her children were grown and had “flown the nest,” Debbie made caring for Lonni her full-time job.
During this time, Debbie also became known as the “Hostess with the Mostest.” Her home became the hub for countless gatherings with family and friends. She was famous for her homemade Kahlua, as well as her barroom and patio, where everyone was always welcome.
Debbie loved to dance and often did so with her bare feet and eyes closed, completely lost in the music. She was a devoted groupie of Southern Comfort and later Crosscut. She also seemed to have a suspicious amount of luck at the casinos—her energy and good fortune appeared to make her a winner far more often than statistics would suggest.
Her candy jar was always full, and her greatest love was her family, including the many people she considered family even though they were not related by blood. Debbie transformed her backyard into an oasis for her grandchildren and treasured the family’s annual Christmas getaways.
Debbie was great at cards and games, especially euchre and rummy. She and Lonnie were a tough team to beat. She took great pride in her yard and flowers and loved decorating for the holidays. Debbie was also gifted in woodworking and enjoyed creating with her hands.
True to her Norton stubbornness, Debbie used her strength and determination to fight cancer for nearly a year.
Debbie is survived by her husband, Lonnie; her three children, Jennifer (Mark) Speltz, Clint (Andrea) Chapman, and Amber (Brian) Rance; and her grandchildren, Peyton and Marissa Speltz, Blake and Hudson Chapman, and Sawyer and Elora Rance.
She is also survived by her siblings, Julie Stiffler, Donna (Kyle) Wenndt, Troy (Ann) Norton, and Todd (Amity) Norton; her in-law siblings, Laurie (Dwight) Young, Dennis (Deb) Chapman, Tammy Sutterman, and Sheree (Keith) Doyle; as well as many nieces, nephews, countless family members, and friends.
Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, Dave and Pat Norton; mother-in-law, Mary Tschantz; her brothers-in-law, Terry Chapman and Steve Sutterman; and her beloved dog, Rebel.
