Debbie Bridget Hales

Deborah (Debbie) Bridget Strelow Hales, beloved sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully with family at her side on the morning of February 18, 2026. She was born on November 9, 1949, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Harry Walter Strelow and Emma Ruth Jackson.

Debbie spent her childhood in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she grew up and graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School in 1968. During her high school years, she was proud to be a member of the Flying L Pep Club, reflecting her spirited and involved nature even at a young age.

After high school, Debbie moved to Provo, Utah, where she attended Brigham Young University. It was there that she met the love of her life, Stan Hales. Together they built a life centered on family, faith, and fun. They lived in Utah, Pennsylvania, and Idaho Falls but spent the majority of their married years raising their family in Pocatello, Idaho, where they made countless, lifelong friends.

Debbie worked for many years for Dr. Michael Bateman, managing his Urology office, truly enjoying her work and the relationships she built there. Debbie was known for her love of flowers, plants and enjoying time working in her yard planting flowers in abundance. Her yard was a reflection of her care, patience, and hard work.

One of Debbie’s favorite hobbies was bowling, greatly enjoying the sport, she helped organize leagues and schedules and spent countless hours doing something she enjoyed. Fun-loving, she brought laughter and energy and her spicy spark to her many friends in her bowling leagues.

A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Debbie served in many capacities. She especially loved working with the youth, offering guidance, kindness, and genuine interest in their lives.

Debbie cherished time spent with her children and found joy in supporting them. She was actively involved in parent-teacher committees, helping raise money for banquets and school activities, organizing events, and enthusiastically attending their games and school functions.

Debbie loved her siblings, Tom and Karen, they made efforts to spend time together, vacationing with their families in Jackson Hole and Island Park and building lasting relationships with their children. She shared a special bond with her sister, enjoying frequent visits to Virginia and many memorable adventures together.

During her later years, she faced significant health challenges and was kindly cared for by her sweetheart of 54 years, Stan, whose constant loyalty, love and dedication were a great blessing in her life.

Debbie is preceded in death by her mother, Emma Ruth Smith, her father Harry Strelow, and her step father Thomas Smith. She is survived by her brother Thomas Jr. (LeeAnn) Smith of Marysville, Utah, sister Karen Wilburn of Troutville, Virginia, devoted husband, Stan Hales; her children, Stan Jr. (Nichole) Hales of Pocatello, Kristi (Robert) McBride of Meridian, Clint (Amy) Hales of Twin Falls, and Nate (Rhyan) Hales of Meridian; twelve cherished grandchildren; and one precious great-grandchild, all of whom brought her immense joy and pride.

Funeral services will be Sat. Feb. 28, 2026 at 11am at the Gwen Ward LDS Chapel (1433 Gwen Dr.).  A viewing will be held on Friday Feb. 27, 2026 from 6-8pm at Manning-Wheatley Funeral Home and also on Sat. 1hr prior to services at the church. Interment will be in Mountainview Cemetery in Pocatello.