Wanda Bertha Decker, passed away in Elmhurst, Ill., on March 25, 2019.
She was born in Chicago, June 28, 1927, to John and Bertha Ruzyla, the middle of three children, with brothers, John (born Aug. 16, 1929) and Rudy (born Jan. 7, 1926) and is survived by many including loving daughters, Dianne Decker and Barbara Kirkham; stepchildren, Ann Decker, Pattie Decker and Louis Decker; grandchildren, Jason Decker, Rachel Baker, Nathan Decker, Luke Decker, Joanna Redden, Sarah Kirkham, Lauren Kirkham and Mike Kirkham; niece, Jody Woytonik; nephew, Mike Ruzyla; brother, John Ruzyla; sister-in-law, June Ruzyla as well as 15 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her brother, Rudy; former husband, Louis, and stepson, Stephen.
Wanda was 25 years old when her first marriage produced a daughter, Dianne Lynn, born Sept. 18, 1952. Wanda relocated to Mound Road in Delavan, and in October of 1962 married Louis Charles Decker, creating a modern blended family of Louis’s four children, Stephen, Ann, Pattie and Louis Jr. along with Wanda’s daughter, Dianne.
On March 11, 1963, they completed the family when Wanda gave birth to Barbara Ann Decker, their bridge-baby, half-sister to Stephen, Ann, Pattie, Louis Jr. and also half-sister to Dianne. The curious immediate family arrangement became more eccentric when stepson Stephen married daughter Dianne on January 16, 1971.
Wanda is described by those who love her as honest, strong-willed, loving, smart, constant, responsible, dependable, a fighter, tenacious, a great cook, competitive, and unforgettable. She held a deep faith in God and her life is both celebrated and missed by many.
A time of remembrance will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, with a funeral service at 4 p.m. at Knollcrest Funeral Home, 1500 S. Meyers. Rd. (three blocks south of Roosevelt), Lombard, Ill., 60148.
