Funeral services for Bernadette Dekker, 90, of Sibley, were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 24, at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Sibley, with Father John Vakulskas as celebrant. Interment was in St. Andrew's Catholic Cemetery in Sibley with Jurrens Funeral Home, Sibley, in charge of arrangements. She died October 20, 2009.
Bernadette Catherine (May) Dekker was born on November 27, 1918 in Ashton, the daughter of Servatzius and Mary (Johannes) May. Bernadette grew up in Ashton and attended and graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School. She went to Iowa State Normal School for one year in Cedar Falls. She taught kindergarten through the eighth grade for three years, one year in Holman Township and two years in Gilman Township.
On February 24, 1941, she married William Dekker at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ashton. The couple farmed north of Sibley, where she resided for 68 years.
Bernadette was a member of St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Sibley, where she served as a member of St. Andrew's Women's Guild. She also was a 4-H leader for many years.
She is survived by three children: William Jr. (Maribeth) Dekker of Savage, Minn.; Kathryn Dykstra of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Janet (Michael) Steele of Fairbury, Nebr.; 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; one brother, John (Faye) May of Sibley.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, William Dekker; daughter, Eileen Duin; two brothers; two sisters; one grandchild and one great-grandchild.
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