Lillian Decker

Lillian M. Decker, age 89 of Melrose, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Melrose, Minnesota.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 27 at the Grey Eagle United Methodist Church with Rev. Gary Taylor officiating. Inurnment will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Grey Eagle.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church in Grey Eagle.

Lillian Marie Mills was born August 28, 1925 in Crosby, Minnesota to Orville and Mina (Feieraband) Mills. She attended country school in Whipholt, Minnesota and graduated from Walker High School in 1942. Lillian married Paul Folwick in 1945. To this union three children were born, Paulette, Nancy, and David. Lillian and Paul later divorced. She then attended nurses training at AwGwah Ching in Walker to become a board certified LPN.

Lillian married Kermit Decker in 1963. To this union came Kermit's four children, Eunice Ann, Carolyn, Leonard, and Richard. Kermit legally adopted Lillian's three children and together they raised their family of seven children. Lillian and Kermit moved to Grey Eagle and farmed until Kermit retired to drive heavy equipment. After Kermit's death in 1983, Lillian moved to Long Prairie to care for her mother-in-law, Saloma Decker. Lillian moved to Melrose in 1987. She was a member of Grey Eagle United Methodist Church and an active member of many organizations.

Survivors include her children, Paulette Swanson of Melrose, Nancy (Dr. Jim) Mohs of Melrose, Eunice Ann (Al) Alton and Leonard Decker of Colorado, Carolyn (Dean) Young of Apple Valley, and Richard Decker of Holdingford; daughter-in-law, Mary Decker of Melrose; sister, Nodie Shepard of Longville; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Lillian was preceded in death by her husband, Kermit; parents; son, David Decker; mother-in-law, Saloma Decker; brother, John Mills; sisters, Emma Albrant, Bernice Hines, Lucille Kevitte, and Orva Roe; son-in-law, Russell Swanson; and cousin, Marion Bloomquist.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.