Deb Pflasterer received a bachelor of science in home economics education from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. She earned a master of science from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Pflasterer is active in several professional organizations, including both the Illinois and National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (IEAFCS), and Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP).

She is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Carthage, the Carthage Chamber of Commerce and the Hancock County Economic Development Association.