Phyllis F. Decker
June 18, 2016Share using:
Phyllis F. Decker, 79, of Dubuque passed away Saturday, June 18, 2016 at Unity Point Finley Hospital.
Funeral services will be at 10:30am, Thursday, June 23, 2016 at St. Joseph Key West Catholic Church with Rev. Michael Podhajsky officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at the Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, where there will be a parish wake service at 3:00 p.m.
Phyllis was born April 6, 1937 in Dubuque, the daughter of Peter J. and Loretta (Bushman) Thielen.
She married Raymond J. Decker on January 31, 1956 at St. Catherine’s Church. Together they farmed in the Massey area for more than 30 years until moving to Dubuque in 1988. Phyllis gave her all to her family. She was a self-proclaimed “home-body,” and enjoyed making her home a comfortable place to gather. She enjoyed music, especially polkas, and played the accordion and organ. She was a great cook, enjoyed crocheting, and tended a big, bountiful garden every summer. She will be remembered for her green thumb, her quiet smile, listening ear, and a lap for all her grandkids to sit on.
Phyllis is survived by her 10 children, Shirley (Ken) Shannon of Dubuque, Marty (Carla) Decker of Zwingle, Carol (Randy) Stecher of Dubuque, Diane LeBlang of Centennial, CO, Duane (Sue) Decker of Dubuque, Joan (Randy) Schmerbach) of Huxley, Iowa, Bernice (Jim) Trennepohl of Minneapolis, Edward (Kelli) Decker of Dubuque, Janelle (Rick) Schildgen of Gilbert, AZ, and Daryl (Jennifer) Decker of Omaha, NE. She will be missed by her 32 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. Phyllis is survived by two brothers, Cletus (Monica) Thielen and Clyde (Carlyn) Thielen and sister-in-law Darlene Offerman; her in-laws, Albert (Calista) Decker, Vincent (Evelyn) Decker, Hubert (Liz) Decker, Melita (Virgil) Hansen, Darlene Collins, Fran Decker, Bernadine (Mark) Giese, Louis (Darla) Decker, John Jr (Irma) Decker, Kenneth Decker, and Charlene Decker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond, on October 3, 2001, her parents, and three brothers, Rev. Thoralf (Bud), Harlan, and Vince Thielen.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Whalen and the staff of Tri-State Dialysis, Hawkeye Care Center, and Unity Point Finley Hospital for their compassionate care.
