Pauline Decker, 87, Dickinson, ND, died Sunday, February 17, 2008 at the St. Luke’s Home, Dickinson. Pauline’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Friday, February 22, 2008 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dickinson with Fr. Dennis Schafer as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson. There will be a rosary led by Richard Wandler and vigil with Deacon Ralph Stockert presiding at 7 p.m., Thursday at Ladbury Funeral Service.
Pauline Teresa (Kuntz) Decker, 87, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 17, 2008 at St. Luke’s Home, Dickinson after battling cancer and heart disease. She was born December 18, 1920 in the Manning, N.D. area, the daughter of Gregor and Monica (Reichert) Kuntz. Her family later moved to a farm 5 miles west of Dickinson where she lived with her parents and nine siblings. She attended country school and after graduating from the eighth grade, she worked in Dickinson for a few years before she married her husband Tony of 63 years.
On October 28, 1940, Pauline married Anton “Tony” J. Decker at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dickinson. They lived on a farm 11 miles southwest of Dickinson where they raised thirteen children. Besides being a mother and homemaker, Pauline also worked in Dickinson at Greene Drug for years, the Ramada Inn for 15 years as a supervisor of housekeeping and various other jobs.
In 1987, Tony and Pauline retired from farming and moved into a home in Dickinson. Pauline enjoyed league bowling which she did until the spring of 2006 (age 85), gardening and her flowers in her yard, playing cards, crocheting, sewing and making quilts and having lunch and shopping with her “lady” friends. At age 76 she learned how to use a computer so she could email her family. She enjoyed visiting with her family and friends. Pauline was a member of the Christian Mothers and of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church all her life.
Pauline was a very well liked person who will be missed by many. She always had such a positive attitude towards life, no matter how grim things looked. Her grandchildren especially, have commented on that many times. Since her husband Tony died in 2003, she has had many major health issues. Through them all, she hung on for her family. Her family will miss her dearly and feels blessed to have had her for their mother.
Pauline is survived by her 12 children: Ronald (Signe), Round Rock, TX; Herbert, Dickinson; Duane (Bonnie), Dickinson; Diane (Leo) Wandler, Bismarck; James (Rita), Bakersfield, CA; Darrell (Carol), Dickinson; Kerry (Jim) Steckler, Dickinson; Joy (Tom Schmidt) Baggatta, Dickinson; Robin, Lubbock, TX; Dick, Billings, MT; David (Paula), Dickinson; and Connie, Greeley, CO; 28 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; her sister Christine Frenzel, Glendive, MT; brothers Leo (Betty), George, and Frank (Caroline) of Dickinson and Peter (Mary), New Rockford, ND; sisters-in-law Jennie Decker, Dickinson, Monica Kuntz, Circle, MT and brother-in-law Leo (Linda) Decker, Packwood, WA. Preceding her in death are her husband, Tony (2003); her daughter Peggy Miller (1998); her parents and step-father Joseph J. Jaeger; her sisters and their husbands Eva, Rose (Frank) Schwindt, Betty (Harry) Heidt; her brothers and wife, John, Jack (Mary); sisters-in-law Gladys Kuntz and Anna Maria Decker; brothers-in-law, Fred Frenzel, Paul Decker; two granddaughters and some step siblings.
