Deborah has a masters degree in American Studies. She is director of Regional Research Associates, and specializes in public history, historic preservation and publications development. She is the author of 11 books on Upper Midwest history and serves on the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission. She has also been in vocal music performance (Early Music) since 1975.

Deborah and Tom Koehler (1970) are engaged to be married, no date set.

Deborah is living in the Linden Hills neighborhood of Minneapolis.