Deborah Anne Hodge Karsell

Deborah Anne Hodge Karsell

Deb was born on November 30, 1948 in Wichita Falls, Texas, to Louis and Jeannine Hodge. As a child, she lived in Holliday, Texas; Altus, Oklahoma; Puerto Rico; Columbus, Ohio; and Louisville, Kentucky.

In 1971, Deb graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in nursing, and married Bill Karsell. The couple moved to Long Island, New York, where she worked as a licensed registered nurse in the intensive care unit at Long Island Jewish - Hillside Medical Center. Deb and Bill welcomed their son Tom in 1973, and their daughter Elizabeth in 1975.

In 1977, Deb moved with her family to Amarillo, Texas, where she spent several years as a dedicated full-time mom - making after-school snacks from scratch and shuttling kids to Suzuki music lessons and sports practices. When the children were old enough, she began working in the Amarillo Public Health Department as a clinical nurse.

In 1988, Bill was transferred to Lakewood, Colorado. There, Deb worked for the Hospice of Metro Denver - first as a field nurse, and then as the West Team Manager. Later, she served as the Clinical Director for Absolute Home Health Care, then as a nurse for the Jefferson County Health Department until she finished her career in 2006.

At St. Joseph Episcopal Church in Lakewood, Deb sang in the choir and chaired the Congregational Care Committee, in addition to other volunteer roles. For the last few years before becoming disabled, she picked up three elderly parishioners from different locations every Sunday, brought them to church, and took them home after the service.

Deb was dedicated to bringing comfort to people in need, both in her profession and through her volunteer work. She worked tirelessly for ARC of Jefferson, Clear Creek, and Gilpin Counties as a board member and president, and as chair of the Guardianship Committee.

Deb had a wonderful sense of fun, and was always up for an adventure. She camped, canoed, climbed 14ers, scuba-dived, traveled all over the world, and walked three miles every morning with a group of ladies for many years. A great lover of music, Deb enjoyed playing piano, flute, Native American flute, and violin. She sang with the Evergreen Chorale for more than 30 years, serving as soprano section leader. She was the truest friend and loved to keep up with everyone's family news. She was a fabulous host of family dinners, and never missed an opportunity to see her grandchildren in a play, dance recital, or basketball game.

In September of 2024, Deb fell down the stairs in her home and sustained a traumatic brain injury which left her severely cognitively impaired. Although she needed constant care for her final year of life, she continued to bring love and joy to her family and others. Deb spent her last days surrounded by loved ones, and passed away on October 16th, 2025. Deb is survived by her husband, Bill Karsell; her brothers, Doug Hodge (Dawnetta), and Jon Hodge (Julie); her daughter, Elizabeth Horne (Troy); and her grandchildren, Moses, Silas, and Cordelia Horne.

A memorial service will be Saturday, November 8, 2025, St. Joseph Episcopal Church, 11202 West Jewell Avenue, Lakewood, CO, 10:30 a.m., followed by a reception with lunch at 12:00. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to ARC of Jefferson, Clear Creek, and Gilpin Counties (arcjc.org).