Saying goodbye to Deb Flegel

We said goodbye to Deb today, on a beautiful sunny day at the Bergen Hall not far from her beloved farm. Spike, her main horse, was there for the Final Ride, which didn't leave a dry eye throughout the crowd.

Debra Lynne Flegel

January 11, 1956 - April 16, 2026

Mounted on "Spike", riding west of Bergen at the Red Deer River

Deb was an inspiring horse woman. She'd been riding much longer than I have been and she had several big accomplishments under her belt. More important though, she taught and encouraged so many others to join the horse community and enjoy the camaraderie of the trail rides and cow horse or cutting shows. She believed in you more that you believed in yourself and her enthusiasm rubbed off.

She loved her horses and dogs more than many folks ever love anything. They were constantly on her mind. Even when she was beaten down and quite frail, she would trudge out to check on them before turning in for the night. And her mind was always looking to learn more.   We studied conformation books together at one of our last visits, learning about the movement of the shoulder and the angle of the hip.

I spent time with Deb during her last months, riding a little, chatting a lot. It was my greatest pleasure to spend time with her, to help in any small way ease her pain and worry. At the end, she had a momentous visit from Pastor Tom and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Saviour. From that day on, her mind was eased and her worries lessened.

I've never really worried or been scared about dying but I think that Deb was - for a lot of that last year when the medical field had no more answers. We chatted about the church and her upbringing. She was keen to know more. I researched more and shared with her the materials I found that solidified my faith. But that visit from Tom and his sharing of the Good News of the Gospel gave her peace. After that, she quit worrying about how to defeat the disease and just enjoyed the close family and friends that had arrived.

My motto has been (from Chris LeDoux's song),

Sit tall in the saddle, Hold your head up high

Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky

And live like you ain't afraid to die

And don't be scared, just enjoy the ride

I believe that Deb did enjoy the ride. Her heart was open and her drive was pure. She shared love with all she met and helped in any way possible. She wasn't flashy or loud, nor was she sedate and polished. She presented herself just the way she was.

I hope to live my life so that I too can say that I 'enjoyed the ride'. We have so many worries about silly details in our daily lives. It's important to seize the day, enjoy the moment, hug your family and meet with your friend. And always, Enjoy the ride!

I will remember you, my friend.