Decker, Elizabeth Koehn (1851-1943)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1943 Jun 17 p. 5

Birth date: 1851 Dec 4

text of obituary:

Local News

. . .

— Grandmother Elizabeth Decker of Moundridge passed away at 11:00 o'clock Saturday evening at the home of her daughter and son-in-l;aw, Rev. and Mrs. J. J. Ratzlaff at 1210 North main. Mrs. Decker had come to visit at the Ratzlaff home about three weeks ago, and was later stricken with an ailment of the heart which finally resulted in her death. She was 91 years old last Decembers 4. Until lately she had still been in good health and kept herself busy with making rugs and doing other helpful duties around the home. Funeral services were held at the Emmanuel church near Galva at three o'clock Tuesday afternoon, and were conducted by Rev. Garman Wedel, pastor of the church, and Rev. P. P. Wedel of Moundridge. Grandmother Decker is survived by six children and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1943 Jun 24 p. 3

text of obituary:

MRS. ELIZABETH DECKER

Mrs. Elizabeth Koehn Decker, wife of the late John Decker, and the oldest daughter of Ernest and Helena Koehn was born December 4, 1851 in South Russia in the village of Antonofka. She was baptized by the Elder Tobias Unruh and thereby joined the faith of the local Mennonite church. In the year 1874, when the great migration to America took place, she with her parents, brothers and sisters came to America. They lived at Florence, Kansas during the winter of 1875 and moved to McPherson county in the spring of that year. On September 5, 1875 she was married to John Decker who was a widower living 4 miles northeast of Moundridge and assumed the motherhood of 8 children, the oldest being 12 years of age. To this union 10 more children were born. One, named Carolina died in infancy, the other nine being present at her funeral.

She was a member of the Emmanuel church from its very beginning and remained a faithful member throughout the rest of her many days.

After the death of her husband in 1922 she made her home with her children where she was always active in helping with the house work and for many years spent most of her time making throw rugs.

In general, she was in good health throughout her life. Even in her old age she could hear well, her eyesight was so good she could thread her own needle for sewing and above all her mental condition was excellent to the very last. She was failing in health since the beginning of the year but was bedfast for only the last thirteen days. On June 12, 1943 she passed out of this life into eternity to be in glory with the Lord for which she expressed a great longing. She reached the age of 91 years, 6 months and 8 days. She was a loving mother and grandmother and was loved by others.

She leaves to mourn her departure nine children. Tobias Decker, Durham, Mary, Mrs. J. J. Ratzlaff, Newton, Isaac Decker, Tampa; Julia, Mrs. P. P. Ratzlaff, Wiley, Colo.; Jacob H Decker, Moundridge; Anna, Mrs. F. P. Wedel, Galva; David P. Decker, Meno, Okla., Ludwig W. Decker, Galva, 55 grandchildren and 90 great-grandchildren. All of her brothers and sisters have preceded her in death.

A short service was held at the Harder Funeral Home in Moundridge consisting of the song "Lead me Gently Home" by an octet and prayer by Rev. P. P. Wedel. At the Emmanuel church the congregation sang "Dort Ueber jenem Steren Meer." Rev. Garman Wedel read 2 Cor 5:1-10 and led in prayer. The octet sang "Jesus Savior Pilot Me" after which Rev. P. P. Wedel read the obituary and preached the funeral sermon using as his text, Isaiah 26:3, 4. The octet sang "Asleep in Jesus." At the cemetery the octet sang "Abide With Me" and Rev. P. P. Wedel had charge of the service.

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Evening Kansan-Republican obituary: 1943 Jun 18 p. 4

text of obituary:

Mrs. Elizabeth Decker

Mrs. Elizabeth Koehn Decker, wife of the late John Decker, and the oldest daughter of Ernest and Helena Koehn, was born December 4, 1851 in South Russia in the village of Antonofka. She was baptized by the Elder Tobias Unruh and thereby joined the faith of the local Mennonite church. In the year 1874, when the great migration to America took place, she with her parents, brothers and sisters came to America. They lived at Florence, Kansas during the winter of 1875 and moved to McPherson county in the spring of that year. On September 5, 1875 she was married to John Decker who was a widower living 4 miles northeast of Moundridge and assumed the motherhood of 8 children, the oldest being 12 years of age. To this union 10 more children were born. One, named Carolina, died in infancy, the other nine being present at her funeral.

She was a member of the Emmanuel church from its very beginning and remained a faithful member throughout the rest of her many days.

After the death of her husband in 1922 she made her home with her children where she was always active in helping with the house work and for many years spent most of her time making throw rugs.

In general, she was in good health throughout her life. Even in her old age she could hear well, her eyesight was so good she could thread her own needle for sewing and above all her mental condition was excellent to the very last. She was failing in health since the beginning of this year but was bedfast for only the last thirteen days. On June 12, 1943 she passed out of this life into eternity to be in glory with the Lord for which she expressed a great longing. She reached the age of 91 years, 6 months and 8 days. She was a loving mother and grandmother and was loved by others.

She leaves to mourn her departure nine children: Tobias Decker, Durham; Mary, Mrs. J. J. Ratzlaff, Newton; Isaac Decker, Tampa; Julia, Mrs. P. P. Ratzlaff, Wiley, Colo.; Jacob H. Decker, Moundridge; Anna, Mrs. F. P. Wedel, Galva; David P. Decker, Meno, Okla.; Ludwig C. Decker, Galva; and Jonas W. Decker, Galva; and 55 grandchildren and 90 great grandchildren. All of her brothers and sisters have preceded her in death.

A short service was held at the Harder Funeral Home in Moundridge consisting of the song "Lead Me Gently Home" by an octet and prayer by Rev. P. P. Wedel. At the Emmanuel church the congregation sang "Dort Ueber jenen Sternen Meed."[sic] Rev. Garman Wedel read 2 Cor. 5, 1-10 and led in prayer. The octet sang "Jesus Savior Pilot Me" after which Rev. P. P. Wedel read the obituary and preached the funeral sermon using as his text, Isaiah 26, 3, 4. The octet sang "Asleep in Jesus." At the cemetery the octet sang "Abide With Me" and Rev. P. P. Wedel had charge of the service.