Obituary for Lavonna Decker
Lavonna Decker, age 87, passed away quietly and peacefully on January 18, 2022, at South Torch Lake Assisted Living Facility in Rapid City, Michigan. Memorial contributions in memory of Lavonna may be made to Winn United Methodist Church, 8187 S Winn Rd. Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858. Arrangements are being handled by Clark Family Funeral Chapel, Mt. Pleasant.
Lavonna was born on February 21, 1934, in Shepherd, Michigan, the daughter of Alex and Iva (Hetherington) Fox. Lavonna met her loving husband, Eugene Decker, during high school. They were married on September 15, 1956. Together they raised three daughters: Kathy, Dawn, and Susan. Lavonna was a Registered Nurse and eventually became a nursing instructor at Montcalm Community College. She took great pride in her career and helped care for community members who would contact her for medical assistance. She did everything from removing slivers to providing relief of pain to cancer patients. Even late in life, while she was in assisted living, Lavonna helped care for other residents living there.
Lavonna enjoyed many activities during her lifetime. She was an avid antique collector, enjoyed family history research, and loved going to flea markets and garage sales. For many years, she was an active member of the Winn United Methodist Church. Lavonna enjoyed spending time with her family—especially her grandchildren. She also enjoyed decorating her home and having friends over for meals or a cup of coffee. She loved ice cream, Wacky Cake, and spending winters in Florida.
Lavonna is survived by her children: Kathy (James) Gross of Byron Center, Michigan; Dawn (Nyle) McMurtrey of La Monte, Missouri; and Susan (Jeff) DiRosa of Rapid City, Michigan. Lavonna is also survived by two grandchildren: Derik (Sarah) Gross of Grand Rapids and Faith (Courtney) Gross of Kalamazoo; and five great grandchildren: Claire, Owen, Audrey, Blake, and Carter.
Lavonna was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her siblings: Dennis Fox, Betty (Lee) Davis, and Dick Fox.
A graveside service will take place in the spring, and she will be laid to rest at Union Cemetery, near Winn, Michigan.
Lavonna was born on February 21, 1934, in Shepherd, Michigan, the daughter of Alex and Iva (Hetherington) Fox. Lavonna met her loving husband, Eugene Decker, during high school. They were married on September 15, 1956. Together they raised three daughters: Kathy, Dawn, and Susan. Lavonna was a Registered Nurse and eventually became a nursing instructor at Montcalm Community College. She took great pride in her career and helped care for community members who would contact her for medical assistance. She did everything from removing slivers to providing relief of pain to cancer patients. Even late in life, while she was in assisted living, Lavonna helped care for other residents living there.
Lavonna enjoyed many activities during her lifetime. She was an avid antique collector, enjoyed family history research, and loved going to flea markets and garage sales. For many years, she was an active member of the Winn United Methodist Church. Lavonna enjoyed spending time with her family—especially her grandchildren. She also enjoyed decorating her home and having friends over for meals or a cup of coffee. She loved ice cream, Wacky Cake, and spending winters in Florida.
Lavonna is survived by her children: Kathy (James) Gross of Byron Center, Michigan; Dawn (Nyle) McMurtrey of La Monte, Missouri; and Susan (Jeff) DiRosa of Rapid City, Michigan. Lavonna is also survived by two grandchildren: Derik (Sarah) Gross of Grand Rapids and Faith (Courtney) Gross of Kalamazoo; and five great grandchildren: Claire, Owen, Audrey, Blake, and Carter.
Lavonna was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her siblings: Dennis Fox, Betty (Lee) Davis, and Dick Fox.
A graveside service will take place in the spring, and she will be laid to rest at Union Cemetery, near Winn, Michigan.