Deborah Jean Schwartz, born August 4, 1968, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Deb had a brilliant mind. She was a National Merit Scholar and graduated from Mora High School in 1986. She spent most of her life in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where she worked for the United States Postal Service before earning degrees in Software Engineering and Web Development from St. Cloud Technical College. Deb went on to work as a Software Engineer for Sigma IT Solutions and Etsy.

Deb's passions were rooted in nature. She loved hiking, biking, camping and kayaking—both on her own and with friends. She found peace along the Sauk and Mississippi Rivers in the St. Cloud area, exploring, appreciating their beauty, and tirelessly helping to keep the environment clean. She believed deeply in giving things purpose, recycling and reusing whenever she could.  She was a strong, steady voice for equality and for the celebration of all identities.

Deb's cats were a source of constant comfort and joy, cherished as deeply as any family member.  Deb was a tremendous supporter and loved listening to MPR.  As her illness progressed, she found serenity in quiet visits and peaceful walks at Quiet Oaks Hospice House, where she spent her final months on this beautiful earth.

Deb was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mary Schwartz of Mora, MN. She is survived by her uncle Walter Schwartz (Montrose, MN), Aunt Sandi (Eric) Carlisle (Mora, MN), sister Erin (Phil) Arndt (Savage, MN), and brother Jason (Jessica) Thomson (Mora, MN), along with nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who loved her dearly.

An informal celebration of life will be held on Saturday June 13th at the Riverside Park shelter in St. Cloud, MN, from 4:30-6:30 pm, with time of sharing starting at 5 pm.

Memorials will be used towards a scholarship in Deb's memory.

Arrangements by Methven Funeral and Cremation Services, Dresser Methven Chapel, Mora, Minnesota www.methvenfuneralhome.com