Florence Soper Decker

FLORENCE SOPER DECKER passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 7, 2017, at Vista Gardens Memory Care in Vista, California. Age 96 years. Florence ("Flo") was born September 2, 1921, in Hale, Michigan, daughter of the late William and Iva (Ehmcke) Soper. She was raised and educated in Saginaw, graduating from Arthur Hill High School in 1939. She then earned a degree in education from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. She taught school in both the Saginaw City School District and in Saginaw Township. Flo married the love of her life, Gerald ("Jerry") Decker, in 1943, and they enjoyed 73 wonderful years of marriage. They traveled extensively and in recent years loved to reminisce about their many adventures. Jerry predeceased her by 65 days. She was a charter member of the Saginaw Valley Nazarene Church and served in many capacities there over the years, such as secretary, Sunday school teacher, and board member. Flo was devoted to her family and she will be greatly missed. She is survived by two daughters, Susan (Steve) Caudill of Carlsbad, CA, and Mimi (Randy) Bartkowiak of Oceanside, CA; four grandchildren, Steve (Amy) Caudill of Temecula, CA, Chris (Katie) Caudill of Temecula, CA, Jenna (Alex) Kowalkoski of Huntley, IL, and Ashley (Aaron) Olsen of Oceanside, CA; and nine great-grandchildren, Claire Caudill, Kaitlin Kowalkoski, Travis Kowalkoski, Olivia Olsen, Jude Caudill, Quincy Caudill, Lucas Olsen, Charlotte Caudill, and Hazel Caudill. Flo was the youngest of four children and was predeceased by her siblings Leonard ("Ted") Soper, Fern Jones Van Wagoner, and Wallace ("Wayne") Soper. She is also survived by many special nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 21, 2017, at the Saginaw Valley Nazarene Church, 1815 Tittabawassee Rd., with Rev. Randy Owens officiating, and committal to follow at Roselawn Gardens. Memorial visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2017, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at W. L. Case and Co. Funeral Chapel, 4480 Mackinaw Rd. in Saginaw, and also on Thursday at the church from 9:00 am until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider Saginaw Valley Nazarene Church or Olivet Nazarene University. www.casefuneralhome.com

Funeral Home:
W. L. Case and Company Mackinaw Funeral Chapel
4480 Mackinaw Road
Saginaw, MI
US 48603