Wilma “Willy” Dekker, 92, of Sheboygan, went home to Heaven on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 at Sheboygan Progressive Health Services, where she had been receiving care for one week. Wilma was born April 22, 1926 to the late Henry and Christina (Yurk) Leonhardt. She attended Jefferson Elementary School and graduated from Sheboygan North High School in 1944.
Wilma started working at Sachse’s Leather and Gift Store when she was 16 years old, and after taking time off to raise her three children, she continued working part-time at Sachse’s until retiring in 2005, a span of 63 years! She was a buyer and the ultimate sales clerk, and she loved assisting customers.
On April 3, 1948, she married John M. Dekker at First Christian Reformed Church, which is now Christ Community Church, in Sheboygan. They were blessed with 58 years of marriage until his death in 2006.
Willy was an avid sports fan and especially loved following the Brewers and Badgers. She enjoyed reading and playing cards and will be missed by her many friends at Mapledale Village.
Survivors include her two sons, Tom (Laura) Dekker, Colgate and Todd (Carol) Dekker, Sheboygan; five grandchildren, Jacob, Zachary, John (Annie), Hannah and Sam (Olivia) Dekker; one brother-in-law, Marv (Ruth) Dekker and one sister-in-law, Corrine Smies. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents and husband, Wilma was preceded in death by one daughter, Renee, three sisters, Esther (Elmer) Zittel, Marie (Al) Warnecke and Lenie (Don) Winter and four brothers, Henry (Maude) Leonhardt, Edward (Lil) Leonhardt, Clarence (Odie) Leonhardt and Artie Leonhardt.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. at Christ Community Church (428 Geele Ave., Sheboygan) with Rev. Joshua Van Engen officiating. Friends may call on Saturday, at the church, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will follow at Wildwood Cemetery. Please visit
www.ballhornchapels.com
to send condolences. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established to be used for Sheboygan Area Lutheran High School or Sheboygan Christian High School.
Willy was a devoted mother and grandmother who cherished time spent with her family. She will be remembered for her friendly nature, gift of conversation, and the twinkle in her eye!
The family would like to extend a special thank you to her “niece” Claire Potter Alger for the devotion, companionship and care she gave to Willy.
