Debra Dee Ludwig

Columbiana- Debra Dee Ludwig, age 69, of Columbiana passed on to glory, Wednesday September 17, 2025, at 9:50 pm, at the Hospice House surrounded by her family and her loyal companion, Little Bit, who never left her side; as the leaves fell, and the world turned, and the Angels sang. She rose in victory, a champion, over a disease that may have claimed her body but never her spirit.

In that quiet moment she was reunited with the love of her life, her soul mate, George Alvin Ludwig, whom she married on June 25, 1977, and cared for and honored until he took his final breath by her side in the home they created for their beautiful family on October 10, 2022. As the leaves fell and the world turned, and the Angels sang.

Debra Dee was born January 26, 1956, in Cleveland, OH, a daughter of the late William and Clara Talani Kukoleck.

Debbie Ludwig was not an ordinary woman. She was the beloved matriarch of her family. She shone with a special light and love that is rare in this world. A mother and friend to all; she always had a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, or an insight to lift your spirits. She was fiercely loyal to her friends and family. She was a caregiver to her very soul. She was a best friend and most trusted companion to her daughter and sons and helped her boys raise their own beautiful daughters. She took so much pride in being a grandma to her first grandchild, Chloe, then Mya, and Olivia and later became “GG” to Iris and then she was given the honor of becoming a great grandma to her family’s first boy child, Shiloh Emanuel. She was Gem, the queen of all fairies, and they played at the “fairy cross” by the neighborhood church. She nurtured their childhood magic and their dreams, danced with them, read them books, colored, played them really good music, and held them close. She filled them up with the kind of love only a grandmother like her could give. Her husband was blessed to have her for nearly five decades, always by his side, especially when he needed her the most as he faced a long journey through health issues for many years. She never faltered. She carried the load. When you think of a strong woman you think of women like Debra Ludwig. She was a rock to her family. A solid foundation that everyone could come home to. All that have known her knew of her strength of character and her will to fight for her family and survive for them. She faced every battle that her sickness put before her head on with the dogged determination of a warrior queen. She was not scared. She never doubted. She never complained. She remained stoic, grateful for every new day, happy, quick with a joke and brought a smile to everyone she met. She was a wonderful Mother, wife, sister, friend, aunty, and a woman of integrity, honor, and unwavering faith. She will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved her and were loved by her. And as she always said; “blessed be.”

Debbie is survived by her children, Joseph Eli (Sylvan) Ludwig of Columbiana, Nicole Lee Ludwig of Columbiana, Jacob George (Amy) Ludwig of Tampa, FL and Chuck Stoner of Cornersburg; four granddaughters, Chloe Williams of Spring Hill, TN, Mya Ludwig of Tampa, FL, Olivia Stoner of Cornersburg, and Iris Ludwig of Columbiana; a great grandson, Shiloh Williams of Tampa, FL; big brother, Larry Kukoleck of Parma, OH; three sisters, Karen (Trip) Heist of Clearwater, FL, Patty Kukoleck-McCormick and Linda Kukoleck both of Valley View, OH, as well as, many nieces and nephews. She was reunited with her brother, Bill Kukoleck who preceded her in death.

In honor of her wishes, her body has been cremated and her remains will be held close to her family.

A memorial service will be held this Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 12:00 Noon with a potluck style luncheon immediately to follow at the Jerusalem Lutheran Church located at 415 S. Main St. Columbiana, OH 44408

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home in Columbiana.

Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences at www.familycareservices.com