Debra "deba" L. Horn-Prochno

Debra “deba’” Lee Horn-Prochno, age 72, of Ripon, WI, passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at Hospice Home of Hope in Fond Du Lac, WI.

Debra “deba” was welcomed into this world by her parents Lorraine Carol Sroor and David Robert Horn on December 27, 1952, in Milwaukee. 

My younger years were quite idyllic, growing up on Little Muskego Lake. Paternal grandparents, Gommy and Poppy, lived across the street. Maternal grandparents, Grammy and Grampy, lived in Milwaukee, but owned an island on the west side of the lake. Many days were spent at the island and riding with Grampy in his inboard Chris Craft. And even more days were spent swimming.

Since this first child was supposed to be a boy, Dad was ready with Tonka trucks under the Christmas Tree. Surprise, this girl spent many hours playing with those trucks in her monster sandbox.

My life changed when brother Jeff arrived in May 1958. No longer the only child and having to give up my bedroom (and my trucks), I was no longer a happy girl and turned into quite a pain. To get me out of the house, Mom had me tested and I was able to go into first grade at 5-1/2 years old. No kindergarten for this girl! Always the youngest, I graduated from Muskego High School at 17, Ripon College at 20.

Our lives unraveled in 1963 when Mom and Dad began down the divorce pathway. By this time we had moved to the east-side of Muskego where would live until 1969, on Kirkwood Drive. And I have to admit I got the best bedroom!

My lifelong musical adventure began there. After three weeks of trying to play the baritone, it was suggested I might want to try playing drum. All I needed was a pair of nylon-tipped drumsticks and the formica countertop in my bedroom... And the rest is a long, long musical journey.

I was fortunate to attend the Midwestern Music and Arts Camp at the University of Kansas for three high school summers. This is where I learned I wasn't the best drummer on the planet...and also learned mallet percussion and timpani. (And I also learned Kansas wasn't flat!) And so many more performance doors opened for me. Was a member of the Ripon College Wind Ensemble and Orchestra while in school and years after whenever they need spare percussionist! I was even a guest soloist at my high school! And got to direct the Ripon College Pep Band at football games.

There was also a little singing on that journey. From Girls Choir (which my Mom directed) at St. Paul's Lutheran in Tess Corners, to a European Tour with the Ripon College Chamber Singers in 1974.

In my younger days, I witnessed sports history. Watching the Milwaukee Braves and Hank Aaron with Grammy. Watching Vince Lombardi, Bart Starr and the Packers of the 1960's with Dad at Milwaukee County Stadium.

After working one summer at Dandelion Park in Muskego and the next summer as a motel maid at the Tyrolean Inn, in West Allis, I began my 42+ year career in printing 12 days after college graduation. From the Ripon Commonwealth Press to Ripon Community Printers to Ripon Printers, I was an integral part of growing the little small town weekly newspaper into a $50 million commercial printing company! 

My life was full of amazing opportunities. More Doobie Brothers concerts than I can count... Tina Turner, Chicago, ShaNaNa, Cat Stevens, Fleetwood Mac, Argent and many, many Mannheim Steamroller Christmas concerts. Lucky enough to fly on the Concorde at EAA. Attended conferences for work in San Diego, Tucson, Rochester, New York; Phoenix, Memphis (with a Packer away game in Cincinnati).

Deba was preceded in death by both sets of Grandparents - George and Mabel (Buchholz) Sroor and Arnold "Mike" and Olga (Ruehle) Horn; mother, Lorraine "Lee" Sroor Ehlers; father, David Robert Horn; step-father, William "Bill" Ehlers; brother, David Jeffrey Horn; infant siblings, Michael George and Carol Sue; cousin, Bill Horn; and her beloved husband, Keith Lee "Chico" Prochno.

She is survived by step-mom, Lynne Horn, of Muskego; brother-in-law, Randy Lee Prochno, of Markesan; niece, Lauren Prochnow Bruce, her husband Bill and daughters Camille and Aubrey of Park Ridge, III; nephew, Eric (very special friend Chloe) Prochnow, of Phoenix, Ariz; sister-in-law, Kay Prochnow, of Waddell, Ariz.; as well as cousins, Patty, Bobby, Linda, Jimmy, and Johnny... and many friends, confidants and partners-in-crime!!

There are no words to express my deep appreciation to Jill and Mike Blank, Lisa and BJ Rollin, and Mike and Patty Lambert for emotional and physical support... from meals, feeding birdies, household tasks, favors, secret missions... 

Per deba request, there will be no services at the funeral home. Her ashes with be placed into the beautiful wooden heart - crafted by Bob Wienke - with Keith's ashes. A Joyful Celebration of Life will be held in the Fall at Sunset Park at the Inlet at Green Lake.

Donations in her name to Tunnel To Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306, would be wonderful.