Having lived a kind, generous, adventurous and fulfilling life, Deborah Burton Tihen departed from this world on September 19th, 2024. Debbie was born on July 26, 1954, in South Bend Indiana. After graduating from Jackson High School, she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in speech pathology from Indiana University.

She married Larry Tihen in 1980 and moved to Ft. Myers, Florida.  Debbie was employed by the Lee County School District as a Speech Pathologist, and later as the Administrator of the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Center, identifying and placing preschoolers with special needs into appropriate Exceptional Student Education programs in Lee and Collier County schools. Debbie's exceptional work was widely recognized. She was honored to receive English Teacher of the Year, Leadership Lee County, appointment to the Florida League of Teachers, and the Golden Apple Teacher Award. After retiring in 2011, Debbie was a volunteer tutor for children with reading difficulties and conducted multiple reading in-services in multiple states.

Debbie's adventurous spirit led her and Larry to many countries to experience various cultures. Throughout their travels, Debbie experienced her greatest pleasure interacting and learning from the people she met.  She attempted to learn some of the language of each country she visited in an effort to facilitate greater communication.

Throughout her life, Debbie exhibited the extraordinary talent of always seeing the good in each person. Debbie was blessed with many friends and treasured each and every one. She looked forward to her monthly dinner with the Girls group, Book Club, Temple Beth-El, her tennis buddies, and the countless friendships she developed during her career.

Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, Barry and Ilene Burton. She is survived by her husband Larry Tihen, brother Jim Burton (Barbara), aunt and uncle Robert and Kathy Burton, sisters-in-law Jo Ann Trupo, Claudia Madigan, Martha Cook and Marilee Sarchet (David), as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom she loved and was loved by.

Funeral Service is Monday, September 23, 2024, at Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 613 W 14th St ~ Harper, Kansas 67058.  Final resting place is the Harper Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, 2266 2nd Street, Ft. Myers, Florida 33901.

Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary, Wichita, Kansas.

https://www.downingandlahey.com/obituaries/Deborah-Lynn-Tihen?obId=33144189