Wilma Decker
1952 - 2018
Obituary
Wilma Jean Decker, 65, went to be with
the Lord on Saturday (Oct. 20, 2018), surrounded by her family and
friends. She was born Nov. 5, 1952, in Marietta, Georgia, to Wilma
(Thomas) and Fred Schultz. She lived in Georgia, Michigan and Long
Island, New York, before moving to Wakeeney in 1958. She lived there
with her mother and siblings and then moved to Newton in 1969 for her
senior year of high school.
She met Richard D. Smith in Newton and
they were married in 1972. They had two children, Melissa and Travis.
They later divorced. She married Tracy L. Decker June 1, 1991, adding
Tracy's son, Justin, and his daughter, Tania, to their family.
Through the years, she worked for
several establishments including Gibson's, Alco, Wen's One and Lashar
Steel. She also worked in several capacities at Northview and most
recently as a bank teller for the Walton State Bank.
She had many hobbies and interests
including crocheting, rock and gem collecting and gardening. She was
especially passionate about helping others through Alcoholics
Anonymous. She used her skills and talents to help others struggling
with addiction. She was always a friend they could count on and
offered loving counsel that they could trust.
Most recently, her interest and passion
for politics grew and she found herself volunteering a large amount
of her time with the Harvey County Democrats. She loved going to "the
office." She was trying to make a difference in the world. She
also loved cats. She had many over the years with several of them
being adopted from the Humane Society.
She loved traveling, especially to
Colorado. She was very detail-oriented and loved the planning almost
as much as the trip. They spent many years traveling, camping and
boating. She loved the outdoors. This year they even travelled to
Seattle, where she had the honor of officiating the wedding of her
niece.
Finally, she was a devoted wife,
mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to a growing family. She
spent many hours with them. This brought out her fun-loving creative
side, as she loved to do crafts and projects with them.
She is survived by her husband, Tracy;
her sons, Travis Smith (Nicole) of Newton and Justin Decker (Shandy
Lett) of Peabody; her daughters, Melissa Roseberry (Pete) of Newton
and Tania Jensen (Daily) of Rose Hill; her sister, Connie Schmidt of
Wichita; 14 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her mother
and father; brothers, Brent Merydith and Rick Shultz; sister, Faith
Hayworth; and daughter-in-law, Alycia Decker.
A viewing will be held from 5 to 9 p.m.
Tuesday (Oct. 23, 2018) at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton, with the
family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m.
Wednesday (Oct. 24, 2018) at Grace Community Church (1600 S. Anderson
in Newton). A light lunch will follow the service.
Memorials for Caring Hand Humane
Society or Safe Hope shelter for victims of domestic violence and
assault, in care of Petersen Funeral Home.
