Bernadette Decker

Decker, Bernadette A (nee Beuttler) Passed on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer in the Franciscan Hospice House in University Place, WA. Bernadette was born on March 18, 1944 in Los Angeles, California to Bette Ann Swisler and Otto Beuttler. Bernadette’s mother Bette left LA for Seattle with her four young children in tow when Bernadette was about two years old. Bette soon married Juan Diaz who helped raise Bernadette and her siblings in their home in Seattle. Bernadette attended The Immaculate Conception grade school and high school in Seattle, WA. Bernadette met her future husband, Dr Raymond Decker, while working at Seattle’s Providence Hospital in 1964. They were married on August 7, 1965 in Seattle. The couple had three sons, Mathew born in 1966, James (Jed) born 1967, and Thomas born 1969. They raised their family in Spokane, WA until Raymond’s retirement in 1987, then moved to Helena, MT for six years before settling in Olympia, WA. Upon the passing of her husband Raymond in July of 2021, Bernadette moved into Merrill Gardens Assisted Living in Auburn, WA. Bernadette was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond, her son Mathew, sisters Claudia (Lolly) Sharpe and Catherine Kavanaugh and her brother John Mark Diaz. Bernadette leaves behind her beloved sons Jed (Laurie) Decker of Bellingham, WA and Tommy Decker (Rob McDonough) of Federal Way, WA, as well as her daughter-in-law Mary Ann Decker of Oregon City, OR. She is also survived by grandchildren John Decker of Severn, MD, Kristyn Decker (John Ascroft) of Vancouver, WA, Brigitte Decker (Kiefer Goldberg) of Portland, OR, great-granddaughter Ashlynn Decker of Butte, MT, as well as her brother Peter Frederick Beuttler-Diaz of Seattle, WA and sister-in-law Rosellen Frisbee of Lincoln, MT. She leaves behind several nieces, nephews, and friends. Bernadette was a proud, loving and devoted mother, sister, wife and grandmother who displayed great strength, modesty and resilience throughout her life. While her loss was sudden and devastating, her family finds comfort that she is at peace and reunited with those that have passed before her. Bernadette will be laid to rest alongside her husband Raymond on Wednesday June 12, 2024 at 12:00 PM at Holyrood Cemetery in Shoreline, WA followed by a small luncheon with friends and family afterwards.