Lois Mildred Decker

Lois Mildred Decker September 24, 1919 – October 24, 2016. Lois Mildred (Combs) Decker was born in Sioux City Iowa on September 24, 1919, To Oscar I. Combs and Mary M. Combs. She peacefully departed this life on October 24, 2016, at the age of 97 in Fort Collins Colorado. Lois was the third child of four born to Oscar and Mary; she was predeceased by a brother Faye Combs, and two sisters Twila (Combs) Rule, and Jean (Combs) Raynock, and her parents. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Decker. Lois grew up near Allen, Nebraska where her father farmed. With the coming of The Depression, the family moved to Martin South Dakota where she graduated in 1936 as valedictorian from Martin High School. Lois never forgot her farm-upbringing; she was a wonderful cook, loved to garden and work in her yard, and she could still ride a horse when needed. One year it was time to bring the kid's mare Shadow down to the house from winter pasture. Finding Shadow had taken time and a lot of hunting on foot. When the horse was caught she boosted herself up and rode back to the gate bareback with only a halter and a lead rope. She sent Mary Sue to find Leonard to tell him the lost was found. Lois came to Grand County Colorado in 1938 where she spent many happy years and made life-long, treasured friends. She lived with her aunt and uncle in Kremmling Colorado and helped with her uncle's newspaper, the Middle Park Times. Lois also began working for the post office while in Kremmling, which she continued for 34 years in various towns, eventually retiring from the postal service. In Kremmling she also met her future husband, Leonard W. Decker. The Women's Army Corps was created as an auxiliary unit in May of 1942, and converted to full status on July 1, 1943. Lois enlisted in the WAC on August 19, 1943. She served overseas in Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea, and Manila, Philippine Islands. She was awarded the WAAC Service Ribbon, the American Campaign Medal, The Phiilippine Liberation Ribbon, and two battle stars for her service. Lois was honorably discharged November 24, 1945. Lois belonged to the Women's Army Corps Veteran's Assn., Denver Mile-Hi Chapter. She cherished the friends she made there and devoted herself to the meetings and activities. She was a member of Eastern Star in the Evergreen Chapter, participating for many years. Lois loved the mountains and living in Colorado. She canned fruit from yearly trips to the Grand Valley and gathered numerous kinds of wild berries to make jelly. At Christmas time all her family and friends received home-made fudge and a jar or two of jelly. Leonard taught her to fish, and she enjoyed camping with the family and trips in the fall to cut wood for the fireplace. The family home was in Kittredge for thirty years, though Kremmling and its people held a special place in her heart. Lois was a voracious reader and loved books and newspapers. She once said if she ran out of things to read she would read the phonebook; she was a regular at any nearby library. Lois loved to sew and made clothes for herself and family. Moving to Lakewood Colorado in the 1990's, one special joy for her was a fabric shop that was only a few blocks from her house. Leonard and Lois Decker moved to Springfield Colorado in 2000, looking for a quiet small town to live out their years. They were blessed by finding many friends and by the care and compassion given by the medical community in Baca County. Lois moved to Fort Collins Colorado in 2015, where she received loving care from family and the staff at Golden Peak Nursing Facility. Lois's pride for her time of service was eclipsed only by her love of family and friends. She married Leonard Walter Decker in Denver Colorado on March 31, 1946, following Leonard's honorable discharge from the Army Signal Core. They had two children, four grandchildren, four great-grand children, and two step-great-grand children. Leonard passed away August 9, 2003; they were married 54 years. Lois Decker is survived by son Steven B. Decker (Lori), daughter Mary Sue Rivale (J.C.), grand children Jennifer Sheaman (Todd), Andreah Morrissey (Mike), Sosten Rivale (Leeceil), and Tamara Rivale (Andy Mayer). Also surveying are great-grand children Holly Meissner, Ashley Sheaman, David Sheaman, Joe Rivale, Elliott Rivale, and Norah Morrissey, and daughter-in-law Linda Decker. She is also survived by two nieces, four grandnieces and two grandnephews, and three great-grand nephews. Services for Lois will be on November 7, 2016 at Horan and McConaty, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood Colorado, at 11:00 a.m. At 12:30 p.m. there will be a military service at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd., Area B., Denver Colorado, followed by internment. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105, stjude.org , or a veteran's organization of your choice.