Decker, Mary Unruh (1879-1946)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Aug 15 p. 3

Birth date: 1879 Nov 28

text of obituary:

MRS. TOBIAS DECKER

Mrs. Mary Unruh Decker was born in Lonetree township, McPherson county, Kansas, Nov. 28, 1879, and departed this life July 25, 1946, at the age of 66 years, seven months, 28 days.

Coming to the knowledge of salvation in her own soul she was baptized and joined with the Emmanuel church south of Galva in the year 1897. On Jan. 8, 1899, she was married to Tobias Decker. For about five years they lived on a farm in the home community from whence they moved to their present home in Marion county, Kansas, near Roxbury. Here she shared joy and sorrow for 42 years in all that confronted them, here also becoming a member of the Friedenstal church, of which she remained a stable member to the end.

She leaved to mourn her so unexpected, speedy departure her husband and children, Carl, Emma, Lena, Elsie, Harry, Clara, LeRoy, Alva, Elmer and Gertrude (one son, Andrew, preceded her in childhood); five sons-in-law, Arnold Jantz, Tobias Schmidt, Albert Johnson, Allen Unruh, and Lawrence Unruh; five daughters-in-law, Elda (Mrs. Carl Decker), Susie (Mrs. Harry Decker), Alberta (Mrs. Lee Roy Decker), Frances (Mrs. Alva Decker) and Verna (Mrs. Elmer Decker); twenty-six grandchildren, two of whom preceded her in death; four brothers and one sister, and a host of friends and relatives.

Being of a rather quiet disposition, mother hardly ever complained. Even though she was at times ill and weak, yet attended to life’s duties until the last three weeks, when a marked change seemed to take place.

Human help was sought and even though new courage was given, yet everything failed for God’s ways were different. For the last three days her condition turned definitely to the worse, leaving no hope for recovery. She expressed her desire and wished to remain a little longer but also submitted if the Lord should lead differently, and in this connection also expressing her readiness to go.

She will best be remembered by her family and friends for her gentleness of approach, her comforting sympathy and her devotion to the things that pertained to the home and family; she shared her hospitality generously with them, always busy trying to have everything at its best.

We will always remember her as a loving, kind, devoted Mother and Grandmother, trying for the best with everyone.

Ministers officiating at the funeral were O. W. Dirks of Ottawa, Kansas, and D. J. Unruh from Newton, Kansas.