Querida 'Sally' Belle Decker

Querida Belle Rickman Decker also known as Sally of Spencer, IA passed away peacefully May 10, 2017 after being able to see all of her children. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Warner Funeral Home. Querida was born March 31, 1924 in Powell, WY to Ray Emil Rickman and Blanche (Baird) Rickman. During her Elementary years her family moved several times between Arnolds Park, IA and Powell, WY. She graduated high school from Arnolds Park High in May of 1942. In January of 1942 Querida started nurses training at Broadlawns, Polk County Hospital in Des Moines, IA. On January 8, 1944, while enrolled in nursing school Querida married her high school sweetheart Benner Anthony Decker before he went overseas during WWII. She enlisted in the Woman's Army Corp as a Cadet but was never commissioned because the war came to an end. From February 1945 to May 1945 Querida continued to work on her nursing career at Chicago Lyin Hospital in Chicago, IL. And completed her internship as a Registered Nurse in 1946 at Broadlawns Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, MO. In 1947 she began to expand her family with the birth of her oldest child, Janet. They moved to Arnolds Park, IA where she worked for Dr. Ward and was a County Home Nurse until 1956. During that time she was blessed with four more children Paul, Ruth, Dave and William (Bill). In 1959 Querida and Ben bought their family home at 308 W. 3rd St. in Spencer. After working for Dr. Ward she held other prestigious nursing positions until she was hired as Director of Nursing at St. Luke's Nursing Home in Spencer. She worked there until June of 1979. Upon entering Saint Luke's Nursing Home as a patient, Querida continued with her passion for nursing by showing care and compassion to every resident (and giving heck to all the nurses not doing their jobs correctly) until her passing. Querida's passion was nursing. She loved taking care of her family and was always right there when a family member was in need of their own private nurse. She enjoyed reading, spending time with her family, camping, rock hunting, and just even being able to gaze upon the mountains. She belonged to the Woman's Federated Club, Business and Professional Woman of Iowa (BPW) and was also a Brownie Leader. She is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband Ben Decker, brothers Jack and Bob, sisters Joan, Mona(Tippy), Billy Ruth and Luana, a grandson Jason Jensen, a granddaughter Mindee Wilcox and two son-in-law's, Robert Wright and John Jensen. Querida is survived by three sons: Paul(wife, Sharon) Decker of Rossie, David(wife, Joy) Decker of Spencer, and William (wife, Jackie) Decker of Peterson; two daughters: Janet Wright of Papillion, NE and Ruth Jensen of Choteau, MT, 42 and 1/2 grandchildren, 6 and 1/2 great-grandchildren, a brother Ray (wife, Madeline) Rickman of Ypsilanti, MI,; a sister Peggie Miller of Arnolds Park, IA and two sister-in-law's Pat Rickman and Jody Rickman. Memorials are suggested to Saint Luke's Nursing Home ~ 1301 St. Luke Dr., Spencer, IA 51301 or Grace United Methodist Church ~ 311 2nd Ave. W., Spencer, IA 51301. Condolences may be left on-line at http://warnerfuneralhome.com

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