"Elsie Mary Decker Died on June 25 At Age of 71
Elsie Mary Decker was born to George and Ida Engle Hart (sic) in Jewell County, Kan., on Aug. 5, 1884 and departed from the cares of this life at the age of 71 years, 10 months and 20 days.
She was the last remaining of her family. Her sisters Mrs. Lizzie Hamper and Mrs. Georgia Decker, her brother Albert and her father and mother all preceded her to the eternal rest.
At the age of12 years she moved with her parents to a farm home near Traer, Kan., and here she attended school and grew to womanhood. On Dec 22, 1901, she was united in marriage to Deleware (sic) T. Decker and they continued their residence in the northern part of Kansas. To this union were born 5 children, all of whom survive,
In November 1907, she and her husband were united with the United Brethren Church and after moving to Cedar Bluffs, Kan., their membership was transferred to the Methodist Church there. Mr. Decker was the pastor of the church and the one at Traer, Kan., until his death on May 22, 1919.
In ministering to the communities in which they lived, she was always ready to answer the call of neighbors for help in times of sickness or trouble. Following the death of her husband, she moved her family to Orleans, Neb., and here she reared her children. When they had established their homes, she spent a number of years living with and helping whichever one needed her. She has taken part in the rearing of her 14 grandchildren. Each one of them hold, her in the same regard as their own mother. She was truly the head of her family.
By 1954, she was not able to longer participate in the active lives of her families. She then took up living quarters in the home of Mrs. Troutman in Palisade, Neb. Here she made many friends whose company she enjoyed immeasurably.
The many letters and cards she received during her illness were evidence of the loyalty of those friends and remembrances brought much pleasure to her during the long weeks of her illness.
Upon moving to Palisade she became a member of the Palisade Rebecca Lodge and took an active part as long as her health permitted.
She took much pride in the fact that she had six grandsons who served in the Armed Forces of their country, two of whom are yet in the service. She maintained her home in the Troutman …?
For several months, in return for her years of service, all of the care that loving hands could render was hers, but to no avail. Her Master had called.
At the home of her son, early on the morning of June 25, 1956, she was released from her suffering to be reunited with hose of her loved ones gone on before her.
Surviving to cherish her memory are her five children: Zenas E. Decker, Palisade, Neb; Mrs. Pansy Chapman, North Platte, Neb.; Mrs. Frances Blackwell, Denver, Colo; Mrs. Lulu Marsh, Monmouth, Ore., and Mrs. Della Merrill, Wauneta, Neb.
Also surviving are her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Bessie Decker who care for her until the end, three son-in-laws, 14 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, beside the families of her two sisters, 2 sister-in-laws, one brother-in-law and a host of friends.
We heard not the sound of angel wings,
Though we watched for them many a day.
Each morning, each night, as we gazed on her face,
Of the loved one we wished we might keep.
We knew in our hears she was slipping away,
And our anguish was silent and deep.
But the Savior who can comfort he heart,
Released her from suffering and pain,
And to us who are left, with his sweet gentle voice,
He whispers, "You shall see her again."
Then our ears listen still for the Heavenly voice,
And the message which on our hearts fell
While we whisper: "We trust Thee, Thy way, it is best."
And we say in our hearts: "It is well."
Name and date of paper unknown. From Linda Ueland