Debra Lynn Hausch

Debra Lynn (Bell) Hausch, 68, of Powell, Ohio, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2023 surrounded by her loving family following a 30-year battle with cancer. If you knew Deb, you were blessed to know the most loving wife, mother, grandmother (“maw maw”), daughter, sister, co-worker, and friend to all. Born May 7, 1954 in Bluffton, Ohio to Roger and Maryln (Holtkamp) Bell, Deb graduated from Findlay High School in 1972 and was a proud Falcon at Bowling Green State University, graduating in 1976.

As we heard many times in her final weeks, she “would marry Dan Hausch all over again” after tying the knot with him nearly 45 years ago. She and Dan were blessed with two daughters, Meredith (Steve) Nelson and Staci (Shayne) Harvey, and three grandchildren, Graeme and Adeleine Nelson and Palmer Harvey.

Deb began her 30+ year career in education teaching Home Economics - the very first year that class included boys! She continued on working in technology for Worthington Schools and was a member of the inaugural staff at Bluffsview Elementary in 1991. Deb was proud to be a Bluffsview Bear, and loved her co-workers and students dearly. Even though hundreds of students went through Bluffsview every year, she never forgot a student’s name. Deb worked at Bluffsview for 28 years before retiring in December 2019.

In addition to her time in Worthington Schools, Deb and Dan co-founded Fleetcare (formerly Countdown) with her brother Mike Bell, successfully running the business together for 38 years. While Dan was the smiling face (and the greasy hands) of the business, Deb was the diligent, behind the scenes operator who kept the books. As it was with everything they did together, Deb and Dan made the best team. After Deb retired, she spent her time enjoying her family and many friends, spoiling her grandchildren, watching her beloved Food Network, enjoying a glass of sweet wine with ice, and blessing us all with her baked goods.

Deb’s passing leaves a hole in our hearts that only she could fill, and we will always hold her spirit close. Her loving family and friends, church family, co-workers and students, oncologists, nurses and physicians with whom she spent much of her time will always remember Deb Hausch to be a lover of all and a courageous fighter. She never wavered, feared, or complained, and will continue to be an inspiration for all of us in how she handled the challenges in her life with faith, incredible strength, and a positive attitude.

Deb joins her father, Roger Bell, and beloved brother, Tim Bell, in Heaven; and is survived by her mother, Maryln Bell, brother, Mike (Ann) Bell, sister, Cheryl Morgan, sister-in-law Cathy (Tim) Bell, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be held to honor Deb on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 11am at her home church, New Hope Church (4739 W Powell Rd, Powell, OH 43065). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Deb’s name to the American Cancer Society or New Hope Church.