Marilyn Gale (Keller) Decker

Marilyn Gale (Keller) Decker, 62, of Newton died on Friday, August 3, 2018, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.  A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, August 11, 2018, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home.  Memorials to the Jasper County Animal Rescue League or the Newton Arboretum may be left at the funeral home.

Marilyn, the daughter of Edward and Sadie Ruth (Scott) Keller, was born on September 20, 1955 in Newton.  She grew up in Newton and graduated from Newton High School in 1974.  After graduation she attended Central College and later received degrees from AIB and Buena Vista University.  Most of Marilyn’s life was spent in Newton with a short time in Connecticut, California, and West Des Moines.  Most recently she had worked at Hanson Directory in Newton.  On December 20, 2008, Marilyn was united in marriage with Bernard “Jim” Decker in Newton and became a homemaker.  She enjoyed caring for people and was a talented baker and cook. She also played the piano and sang. Marilyn liked traveling, swimming, playing tennis, knitting, and crocheting.  She also had a passion for gardening and animals, especially riding horses.  Marilyn loved to engage people in conversation and in doing so never “met” a stranger.  

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Bernard “Jim” Decker of rural Newton; sons, Michael Whistler and Bill Vernon, both of Newton; grandchildren, Olivia Whistler, Ian Whistler, and Kaiden Whistler; her siblings, Joe (Marijo) Keller of Cedar Falls, John (Lynn) Keller of Newton, Gary (Linda) Keller of Audubon, Jane Arceo of Cedar Rapids, and Sue (Mike) Price of Mingo; two aunts; an uncle; and her many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents.

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