Ethel Ruth Decker

Ethel Ruth Decker, 86 of Cape Girardeau, passed away peacefully in her home at the Chateau Girardeau on Monday, September 28, 2015 after a courageous fight against breast cancer. She was born March 4, 1929 in Kansas City, Missouri to the late Robert Wayne and Nellie Alma Ritze. Mrs. Decker was a volunteer at Saint Francis Auxiliary, a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, and Past President of PTA. Earlier in her life her hobbies were baking cakes, bowling, card games and an obsession with golf. She loved to travel and did so extensively. Her favorite trips were to Hawaii, New York, London and a yearly pilgrimage to Florida. In recent years, her days happily revolved around the televised time for Cardinal baseball games. Mom or Mimi as her grandchildren called her had great love in her life for her family. She faithfully dedicated every day to the raising of her children, with good Christian morals and principals. When her children began having children, she expanded her matriarchal duties to include helping to guide and unconditionally love her grandchildren and great-grandchildren which also included supporting and watching them play sports. Ethel Decker had been blessed with the ability to make each child feel as if he/she was the most special child ever born. Mom was our champion, our cheerleader, our best friend who celebrated with us our successes and mended our broken hearts. We will miss you Mom and you will always be remembered with love and a smile. Survivors include five children and their spouses; Linda (Mike) Cravens of Sikeston, Missouri, Charles “Chuck” (Becky) Decker Jr., of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, John (Donna) Decker of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Sandra Decker of Cape Girardeau, Missouri and Pamela (Terry) Young of Jackson, Missouri; Ethel’s youngest brother, Donald Ritze of Hemet, California; fifteen grandchildren and their spouses; Scott (Danita) Seyer of Santa Maria, California, Shelli (Mike) Chinlund of Woodstock, Illinois, Jason (Heather) Seyer of Cookeville, Tennessee, Kristen (Mitch) Cain, Megan Decker, Lauren Decker and Shannon Decker all of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Mike (Eva) Schlick of West Palm Beach, Florida, Chris (Emily) Schlick of Baldwin, Missouri, Jennifer (Jason) Rezabek of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, Terry (Alicia) Young Jr., Christy Young and Robert Young, all of Jackson, Missouri, Kelly (Norm) McDonald and Chris Cravens of Anchorage, Alaska; 26 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 50 years, Charles Edward Decker who passed away on August 27, 2002; sisters, Margie Stafford, Doris Thurston and Jeanette McMahon; older brother, Eugene Ritze and infant brother, Robert Jr. There will be laughter and dancing in Heaven as Ethel and her loved ones are reunited. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 30, 2015 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Thursday, October 1, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Dave Wiant officiating. Burial will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

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Ethel Ruth Decker

March 4, 1929 - September 28, 2015