Bernice Decker
January 4, 1944 ~ March 11, 2009
Bernice Lois Decker age 65 of Lawler, Iowa passed away, Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at the New Hampton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in New Hampton.
Funeral services are 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 14, 2009, at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hampton with Pastor Kevin Frey officiating. Crossbearers will be Derek Rigel and Nick Brown. Nancy Van Horn will serve as reader. Dennis Strum will be the organist accompanying Pastor Barbara Tieszem singing, 'In The Garden', 'How Great Thou Art' and 'Amazing Grace'.
Interment will be in the New Hampton City Cemetery with Les Winters, Ray Winters, Steve Decker, Ben Van Horn, Jeremy Van Horn, Abe Maske and Mark Boland as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are the bus drivers for Turkey Valley School and Jay Uhlenhake.
Friends may call 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2009, at the Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home in New Hampton. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.
Bernice Lois Decker was born January 4, 1944, in Waukon, IA, the daughter of William and Delores (Kruger) Van Horn. She received her education in Waukon, graduating from high school in 1962. Following graduation, she attended beauty school in Waterloo.
On July 21, 1962, in Waukon, she married Gary L. Decker. To this union three daughters were born. Bernice was a beautician in Lawler for 40 years and also drove bus for the Turkey Valley School for 38 years. She enjoyed camping, fishing, cooking, baking, playing cards and especially enjoyed time with her family and grandchildren.
Bernice was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, the Lawler Friends In Council, a charter member of the Lawler Lions Club and a former Lawler City Council Member.
Survivors include her husband, Gary; three daughters, Denice Decker of Belle Plaine, IA, Lori (Bradley) Brown of Nevada, IA, Patty (Chris) Rigel of Lawler; four grandchildren, Zackary Rigel, Carrie Brown, Derek Rigel, Nickolas Brown; her father, William Van Horn of Fayette; two brothers, Neal (Nancy) Van Horn of Wadena, IA, Kevin (Christine) Van Horn of Spillville, IA; two sisters, Cheryl (Bill) Moran of Waverly, TN, Karen (Joe) Hermann of State Center, IA.
She was preceded in death by her mother and a sister-in-law, Judy Van Horn.
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Patty, I just found out about your mother. I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. I remember how much hope you had she would survive this when you first learned of her illness. I think about you often. Always remember the good times and how special your mother was.
Gary and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Bernice will be so missed by so many. Take care that her spirit will live on in your lives as well as many others. We will see you soon.
Gary and family… My sympathy to you on the death of Bernice… God’s peace be with you in your grieving…
You will never know the pleasure I had on been part of those last weeks. You and your beautiful family will be forever remembered. Remember Bernice, to look down at the lights of those flashlights.
Gary and family, You have my deepest sympathy on the loss of your wife and mother. I remember Bernice but don’t think I ever met any of your children. Remember you from gatherings with the Ralston family. Take care. Kathryn
Denice…..I never got to meet your mom..but if she was anything like you, I know she was awesome in every way! I got a chance to look at the video and what a wonderful family! l All those family fishing and camping adventures…what great memories. My thought and prayers are with you all! Remember: LIVE A GOOD LIFE…AND IN THE END, IT’S NOT THE YEARS IN A LIFE, IT’S THE LIFE IN THE YEARS!! (looks like your mom did just that!) Robin
Gary, Our sympathy to you and your family.
thinking of all of you your in our prayers. love ya joan
Gary, Denice, Lori and Patty, George and I want all of you to know that you are in our prayers. I have a lot of wonderful memories of Bernice. She was one of those awesome neighbors who I always knew as a child that I could count on. She was caring and thoughtful and has been such a blessing to my parents for so many years. Please know that my family is holding you in prayer today. God bless and keep all of you in His hands.
May the comfort of friends and family be your strength now and in the days ahead. Carla
Gary, Denice, Lori, and Patty, and all your families, I am so sorry to hear of your loss of a wonderful person. Bernice was such a special person to many, many people. I am sure glad I got up to see her a few weeks ago when I did. Michelle and I really enjoyed our visit with all of you! Hold onto your many special memories of her. With deepest sympathy. Pat Sommerlot
Gary,Denice,Lori, Patty & the Van Horn family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. The few times that we all got together for Van Horn family functions I always enjoyed talking to Bernie. She made our conversations fun and enjoyable. She is a special angel!
You have our deepest sympathy
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of need even though we cannot be there with you. Bernice was a very, very special person to us and will be greatly missed. Sincere sympathies to each of you. You have our love, Dick and Helen
my grandma has been the best grandma. Grandpa and her taught me how to fish and i love it. I will remember her for her great memories. She will be remembered for her great braver as a bus driver, beauty salon person, mother to lori, denice and patty, and also a grndma to us grand kids. I will miss u grandma!!!! Dont worry we all will remember you! Even though you aren’t here i will always have you in my heart. Just do me a favor watch us and just think your down here with us. Listen every night because i pray for you. and when i die meet me at the gate in heven becaus i will look for you well i got to go i love you grandma.
To Denice and family– I was so sorry to read in this morning’s paper about the death of Bernice. The loss of someone so special leaves such a void in our lives, but the memories will always keep her close to your hearts. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
‘If a man die, shall he live again?’ asked the man Job long ago. (Job 14:14, King James Version) Perhaps you, too, have wondered about this. How would you feel if you knew that a reunion with your loved ones was possible right here on earth under the best of conditions? Well, the Bible makes the promise: ‘Your dead ones will live….They will rise up.’ And the Bible also says: ‘The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.’_Isaiah 26:19; Psalm 37:29 May the family find hope and comfort from God’s word the Bible.
To the family; My sincerest condolences to you all. It is hard when a loved one is lost. Bernice is in a better place now. She will always be with you in your hearts. Take care.
The LOVE she showed, was given to every one she met. I was very Glad to know her.
My grandma was the best grandma in the whole entire world. I loved fishing up at the lake with her, and will alway remember her as my favorite grandma!
I am going to miss Bernice so much. I will miss many things about her but especially talking to her about feeding the birds, fishing and having her share recipes with me. I know that I am just one of many that have been touched by her kindness and willingness to share of herself. Gary, Denice, Lori, Patty and the rest of the family…you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry to hear about Bernice. You have the sympathy of all residents and staff at Makee Manor! She was a wonderful lady, and so good to her Dad. Again, thinking of you. Jan & Yvonne
GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AT THIS TIME OF NEED. DAVE AND MARGE MAYO 1080 KELLY DR. NASHVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 27856
My two oldest children had Bernice for a bus driver when we lived in the Turkey Valley school district. She was such a conscientious driver….knowing my kids were coming home to an empty house, she told me she wouldn’t drop them off if she saw a strange vehicle in the yard! Thanks for caring Bernice. Our deepest sympathy to Gary and his family. Allan and Betty
Denice We are all thinking of you! Love ya lots!! Gina
You have my deepest sympathy, and will be in my thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. You are in my prayers! Kathy Kauffman
Bernice was such a wonderful person. She was always so active in the community and will always be remembered for her community service. Jane
The community of Lawler has lost one of their greatest ambassadors. Bernice will be truly missed by many. Our deepest sympathy to Gary and the entire family.
Patty – You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers not only at this time but in the coming months as well. Please know that there are many people out there right now that love you and are there for you. Your friend, Kenda