Deborah Ludwig
Deborah Lynn Hepner Ludwig, 71, of Strasburg passed away on Thursday December 14, 2023 at Blue Ridge Hospice Inpatient Care Center in Winchester, VA after a three year battle with cancer. She had been surrounded by friends and family throughout the day.
A funeral service for Debbie will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 30, 2023, at Valley Assembly of God in Middletown, VA. A reception will follow at the church. Per Debbie’s request she will be cremated. The family will receive friends at Stover Funeral Home in Strasburg, VA on Friday, December 29, 2023, from 6-8 PM.
Debbie was born February 26, 1952, in Woodstock, Va. She was the daughter of the late Dalton “Buddy” Hepner and the late Ida Mae Hepner. As a child A Street and Jenkins Lane were the two places she could be found with her siblings or cousins. Debbie graduated from Strasburg High School in 1970. She started working at the sewing factory in Strasburg. She met and married her late husband William Ludwig in 1973 after a two week courtship. They would proceed to have 4 children. In 1985 she started working at National Fruit in Winchester Va. She worked there until 2001. In 2002 she became an in home caregiver for the elderly. This became Debbie’s passion in life. She loved taking care of everyone. She would continue working up until May of 2023 when her body was growing tired. Debbie was known for being an excellent cook and the life of the party. Her weekends were either spent at the Woodstock Moose with friends listening to music and dancing, or at a friend’s house singing karaoke. She also loved her vacations with family and friends. If she was not at The Outer Banks in North Carolina, she would be in the Mountains of Tennessee. Both of those places were enjoyed by Debbie with her family this past summer.
Debbie is survived by her four children, Shawn Hepner (Stacey) of Toms Brook, VA, Damion Ludwig (Chell) of Woodstock, VA, Brian Ludwig of Strasburg, VA, and Amy Sine (Jeff) of Toms Brook,Va. Her grandchildren, Kyleigh Hepner, Kamden Ludwig (Breanna Spring), William Thomas Ludwig, Kloee Sine, Karlie Sine and Olivia Sine. Her sisters Wanda Ritenour, and Teresa Senseney, and her brother Gary Hepner. She is also survived by her sisters in laws Barbara Baily, Francine Smootz, and Francis Tusing, and brother in law Buster Ludwig. Debbie has several nieces’ nephews and cousins that that were special to her. She was preceded in death by her husband William Joseph Ludwig and her parents Buddy and Ida Mae Hepner. As well as her in laws Gaylon and Helen Ludwig. She was also preceded in death by a special person she considered to be her fifth child, Eddie Funk.
Debbie will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and friend to all that knew her. She cherished the holidays, Christmas especially, where she has a collection of over 700 Santa’s. Her final months and days will be cherished by all, knowing she fought hard, and had her faith in the Lord. She always had a smile on her face and a positive attitude for life. She was the life of the party and loved to make everyone laugh and be happy. Please let us all remember her this way.
An angel lived among us, a gift from God above. She showered us with kindness and shared with us her love. She cherished every moment with the man who was her life: Walking hand in hand together, Facing life with all its strife. She loved her children dearly, each one in a different way, Nestled close within her heart. Though, now, she’s far away. She’s gone to live with Jesus. But, she’s here with us, today, smiling down on every one of us, and telling us she’s O.K.
Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Suite 405, Winchester, VA 22601.
You may sign the guestbook and submit condolences to the family online at www.stoverfuneralhome.com.
Stover Funeral Home and Crematory, Strasburg, VA is serving the family of Deborah Lynn Hepner Ludwig.
