WASHINGTON, DC — Debra Rae Anderson, 73, passed away Thursday, November 10, 2022, at her home in Washington, DC.

Debra was born June 13, 1949, in Bryant, South Dakota to Dean and Marilyn Anderson. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Debra graduated from Bryant High School in 1967 and cum laude from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD in 1971.

Debra entered the political arena with her election to the South Dakota House of Representatives in 1976. She became South Dakota’s first woman Speaker of the House in 1987. Debra resigned from the South Dakota House of Representatives in 1989 when President George H. W. Bush appointed her as Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs in The White House.

Debra married John D. Milne on August 8, 1992, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, SD. They lived in St. Paul, Minnesota where Debra served in the office of Governor Arne Carlson as Commissioner of Administration from 1994-94. John and Debra moved to Washington, DC in 1998 where she was still active in the political world, volunteering in the George W. Bush White House. Debra was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Debra’s greatest joy was the role of Aunt to Ineka, David, and Jonathan and grand-niece Lauren, together with her role as grandmother to Jackson.

Debra is survived by her husband, John D. Milne, stepdaughter Elizabeth Milne, stepson Scott (Erika) Milne and grandson Jackson Milne; sister Lisa (Barry) Roberts; niece Ineka (Andy) Pitt and their daughter Lauren; nephews David (Caroline) Roberts and Jonathan Roberts; aunt Virginia Cluts and many loving cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorial contributions may be made in Debra’s honor to the Woodlawn Cemetery, c/o Jerry Sauder, PO Box 94, Bryant, SD 57221, or the Lutheran Cemetery, c/o Ronda Laube, PO Box 61, Bryant, SD 57221.

The family invites you to visit with them from 11:00 am until the service hour at 12:00 o’clock noon, Saturday, December 10, 2022, at the Farina United Methodist Church, Farina, IL 62838 with Rev. Kevin Kriesel officiating. Burial will follow in the Farina Cemetery. Sutherland – Rankin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 97, 310 N. Broadway, Salem, IL, 62881 618- 548-1234 has been entrusted with the family’s care.