MARY LOU DEKKER

Mary Lou Dekker, age 80, of 204 W. First St., Waldo, Wis., passed away peacefully Thursday evening, Aug. 12, 2010 at St. Nicholas Hospital, surrounded by her loving husband and family, following a struggle with cancer.

She was born June 30, 1930 in Waldo, a daughter of the late Robert and Louise (Harrison) Harvey. She attended Waldo Grade School, graduated from Waldo High School and then attended the Milwaukee Business Institute.

She worked as a bookkeeper at Cordes Supply in Milwaukee before her marriage Oct. 1, 1949, to Ben L. Dekker in Waldo. They made their home in Hingham for two years, moving to Waldo in 1951.

Mary had been employed part time for Wierman-Louret, the Waldo Post Office and Gatzke’s Grocery.

She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Waldo, and had served on the church board of directors. Mary was also involved in the King’s Daughters and served as a den mother in Cub Scouts for several years.

She enjoyed golfing, traveling, reading and following the Packers and Brewers. Mary will be remembered as a loving wife and mother and will also be remembered as a person with a zest for life, with a fun-loving personality that she shared with all who knew her.

Survivors include her husband Ben; one son, Gary (Mary) of Waldo and one daughter, Robin Dekker of Portland, Ore.; one brother, John (Sophie) Harvey of Pittsfield, Mass.; her sister-in-law, Nina Harvey of Cascade; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Edgar Harvey Sr. and Thomas Harvey; an infant brother, Robert and a half brother, Edwin Ingeles.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Waldo. The Rev. Jeremy Diener, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Hingham cemetery.

Visitation was held at the Wittkopp-Schneider Funeral Home in Plymouth on Monday, Aug. 16, from 4-8 p.m. Friends may call at the church Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

Memorial funds will be established in Mary’s name. Online condolences may be sent to www.wittkoppschneider.com. The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the staffs of St. Nicholas Hospital and St. Nicholas Hospice, for the compassionate care given Mary and her family.