Debra J. Iljana

Debra J. Iljana, 62, of Moorhead, MN, passed away Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Sanford Health West Campus, Fargo, ND.

Debra Jean Iljana was born April 14, 1960, the daughter of Elmer Iljana and Dorothy Schaff in Fargo, ND.  She was raised in Fargo and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School.  After high school she attended Concordia College in Moorhead where she received a degree in Respiratory Therapy.  For a number of years, she worked as a Respiratory Therapist in several states.

While living in Ohio, Debra met the love of her life, Arnie Thrond, and they were married in 1994, settling in Fargo.  She then attended Moorhead Technical College and received a degree in Dental Hygiene.  Debra and Arnie then moved to West Fargo, ND, before moving to Minneapolis.  She moved back to Moorhead in 2013. 

Debra enjoyed music, flea marketing, rummage sales, reading and traveling.  She also enjoyed spending time at the lakes. 

She is survived by her sons, Justin (Lisa Bauers) Iljana, West Fargo, and Shane Iljana, Moorhead; granddaughters, Jazmyne and Taína Iljana; mother, Dorothy Schaff, Moorhead; sister, Terry Nassiff, Moorhead; and many nieces and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her son, Noah; and great-grandmother, Hilma Sauvageau. 

Her Funeral Service will be 11:00 AM, Friday, March 31, 2023, in Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead, with a visitation one hour prior to her service.

Burial will take place in Helendale Lutheran Cemetery, Leonard, ND.

(Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead, MN)