Debra L. Vander Werff

Debra L. Vander Werff, age 68, died peacefully at her home in Fall River on Wednesday, October 28, 2025.

Services will be held at a later date.

Debra Lynn Bachofen was born on August 11, 1957, in Norfolk, Virginia to Donald and Patricia (Powers) Bachofen. After moving to Wisconsin, Deb graduated from Columbus High School in 1975. Through the years, she worked as a bartender in the area and always enjoyed meeting new people and chatting with old friends. When it came down to it, Deb was really a homebody. She loved her family, especially the grandchildren, and was always making special treats and baking something for them. Deb also had a special place in her heart for the dogs they had as pets.

Survivors include her husband, John Vander Werff of Fall River; two sons, Jason (Jennifer) Vander Werff of Beaver Dam and Matthew (Amanda) Vander Werff of Wautoma; eleven grandchildren, CJ (Danielle), Jordan, Paige, Calista, Kaelin, Hadley, Haley (Austin), Mackenzie, Maia, Madalyn, and Isabella; six great grandchildren, Jaelynn, Camdyn, Aliya, Theodore, Natalie, and Maddox; her brother, Darrell (Janis) Bachofen; a brother-in-law, Kenneth Vander Werff; nieces and nephews, Jessica (David) Roundy, Travis (Haley) Bachofen, Malina (Jonathan) Peach, and Chris (Ashley) Vander Werff; and a special friend, Terri Vander Werff. Debra was preceded in death by her father, Donald Bachofen; her mother, Patricia (“Jiggy”) Salzwedel; and her half-sister, Beth Bachofen.