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Wilma

Wilma J. Decker

d. October 20, 2018

Wilma Jean Decker, age 65, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 20, 2018, surrounded by her family and friends.  She was born November 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, Kansas 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 there 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 travelling, especially to Colorado. She was very detailed oriented and loved the planning almost as much as the trip! They spent many years travelling, 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 2 great grandchildren.

 

She is preceded in death by her mother and father, brother (Brent Merydith), brother (Rick Shultz), sister (Faith Hayworth), and daughter-in-law (Alycia Decker).

 

A viewing will be held at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton on Tuesday, October 23 from 5 PM to 9 PM with the family present from 6 to 8 PM.  Funeral services will be Wednesday, October 24 at 11 AM 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 c/o Petersen Funeral Home.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Wilma J. Decker, please visit our flower store.

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