Beverly Gayle Decker

Beverly Gayle (Oldemeyer) Decker, long-time resident of the Black Forest, passed away at home on February 15, 2017, after a diagnosis of brain cancer last fall. She faced her illness with the acceptance and grace she demonstrated her entire life. Born December 26, 1928, in Brush, Colorado to Clarence Oldemeyer and Gayle (King) Oldemeyer, she studied music at Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska from 1946-1950, where she met her husband, Harold R. Decker. They were married January 21, 1951, in Brush, Colorado. Her early years with Harold were spent in small communities around Arizona, eastern Colorado, and Kansas, and they settled in Black Forest in 1970. While wrangling five children and her husband took a great deal of her time, Beverly’s life was always filled with music. She began playing piano and organ in her church as a teenager and served as organist at Black Forest Lutheran Church from its founding in 1971, playing her last service on Mother’s Day last year. Many young people benefitted from her fine accompanist skills as she played with choirs as well as vocal and instrumental soloists in schools ranging from the tiny Woodlin School District in eastern Colorado to Air Academy Junior High. Beverly was a founding member of the Soli Deo Gloria choir in Colorado Springs, and once her four boys were out of the house, sang for two seasons in the Colorado Springs Opera Company. Black Forest Lutheran Church could be called Beverly’s second home. A founding member, she served in every imaginable capacity, helping the fledgling congregation grow to the vibrant community it has become today. Her busy schedule was compounded as she managed the logistical aspects of the family business, Decker Library Book Service, until Harold’s death in 2010. Her life was given to her family and to the Lord. Beverly’s life was much enriched by her membership in P.E.O., an organization whose mission is promoting educational opportunities for women; she was inducted into P.E.O. by her mother in 1947. Beverly served in many officer’s positions in her local chapter, and she was elected to the state board in 1988, serving as president in 1993. She is survived by her five loving children: Steven J. Decker of Ontario, Oregon; Michael J. Decker of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Glenn A. Decker of Darien, Illinois; John R. Decker of San Antonio, Texas; and Barbara K. Decker of Denver, Colorado. Additionally, she leaves behind 13 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many, many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband and two brothers: Donald L. Oldemeyer and Robert K. Oldemeyer. Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 18, at Black Forest Lutheran Church, 12455 Black Forest Road, Colorado Springs, CO. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Pikes Peak Hospice Foundation, 825 E. Pikes Peak Ave. Suite 600, Colorado Springs, Colorado, or Black Forest Lutheran Church will be appreciated. In addition, contributions may be made to the P.E.O. Foundation (https://donations.peointernational.org/peo-donation-foundation).