Decker, Lena (1873-1948)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 May 20 p. 3

Birth date: 1873 May 18

text of obituary:

MRS. LENA DECKER

Mrs. Lena Decker was born in Russia May 18, 1873, and passed away in the Larned Hospital, on May 5, 1948, reaching the age of 74 years eleven months and 17 days. At the age of one year she came to America with her parents, and they lived on a farm near Halstead where she grew to womanhood.

She was of a loving and kind disposition and a willing worker, many years doing housework for others.

On October 6, 1920, she was united in marriage with Jacob Decker. They lived on a farm two miles west and four miles south of Halstead.

In the year 1888 she felt the need of a Saviour, repented and found peace with God and upon the confession of her faith was baptized and added to the Church of God in Christ Mennonite. She had her struggles in her early Christian life, but in her latter years, she renewed her vows with God and it was her utmost desire to live for him who died for her.

She had been in fair health until about two years ago, when her health began to fail. In March, she was taken to the Larned hospital where she was a patient for about six weeks, when she peacefully fell asleep from which none ever wake and weep.

She leaves to mourn her departure her husband Jacob Decker, and a host of relatives and friends. Her father, mother, one brother, and two sisters preceded her in death.

Funeral services were conducted on Sunday afternoon; May 9, at the Grace Mennonite church, west of Halstead with the pastors, Rev. Carl Dirks and Rev. Paul Becker officiating. Rev. Henry Dirks of Rich Hill, Missouri and Rev. Frank Unruh of Galva, Kansas also paid tributes to Mrs. Decker's memory. The church choir sang appropriate church hymns. Bearers were Sam. P. Unruh, Ben B. Koehn, John Dirks, Jake Smith, Menno Dirks, and Pete Unruh. She was laid to rest in the Halstead cemetery.