Deborah Olive "Debby" Leach

Deborah Olive “Debby” (Gustin) Leach, 76, of Fargo, ND, passed away on Monday, May 5, 2025, at Sanford on Broadway, Fargo, ND.

Debby was born on October 28, 1948, to Peter and Darlene (Brunette) Gustin in Fargo, ND. She grew up in Moorhead, MN, where she attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Schools, graduating from Moorhead High School in 1966. She continued her education at NDSCS Wahpeton, graduating with her LPN.

Debby moved to Connecticut where she began her nursing career as an LPN, eventually working at the area VA Hospital. She moved back to the F-M area where she worked at the Fargo VA Hospital for the next 35 years, eventually retiring in 2012. During that time, she was united in marriage to Virgil Leach on October 15, 1983, at Nativity Catholic Church in Fargo, ND. She moved to Virgil’s farm where she enjoyed the farm life, her favorite part being the animals she felt privileged to take care of and never knew which barn animal she would wake up to in the kitchen.

Debby enjoyed spending time with her family and friends at Lake Lizzie and going for car rides to look at the local fields and checking out the wildlife. She was a “cruise snob” and looked forward to going on cruises, attending three Caribbean cruises during her lifetime. In March, she fulfilled a lifelong dream to go to Disney World with her family, enjoying the sites and the rides. She had a soft spot for animals, especially dogs and cats, and loved taking care of the animals during her days at the farm. She cared for many veterans during her nursing career, the most important veteran being her husband, Virgil.

Debby is survived by her children, Patrick “Pat” Leach, Pamala (David) “Pam” Shaw, and Tamara (Tyler) “Tammy” Kummeth; grandchildren, Taylor (Keegan) Hamilton, Ryan (Shayna) Leach, Dylan (Lexie) Leach, Nathan (Corinn) Shaw, Joey (Lydia Sanden) Shaw, Peyton Kummeth, and Bevin Kummeth; seven great-grandchildren; siblings, Mary (Marvin) Knoell, Greg Gustin, Brenda (Kent) Rutherford, and Diane Gustin; siblings-in-law, Gary Leach, Shirley (Wes) Berg, and Charles (Rita) Leach; and many other loving relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Virgil; parents, Peter and Darlene; parents-in-law, Earl and Mary Leach; daughter-in-law, Cindy Leach; siblings-in-law, Karen Leach, Beth Brunelle, Verle (Marge) Leach, and infant brother, Terry Gustin.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 6:30 P.M., followed by the prayer service at 6:30 P.M., Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN. Visitation will continue from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M., Friday, May 9, 2025, at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Hawley, MN. A livestream of the service will be available on Debby’s webpage at www.wrightfuneral.com where a guestbook and video tribute may also be found. Burial will be at Moorhead Memorial Gardens, Moorhead, MN, following the service.