Ann Sue Decker Peel

1938 -2024

 

     Ann Sue Decker Peel, 86, of La Crosse, WI, formerly of Keokuk, IA passed away Wednesday, February 14, 2024.

     She was born January 13, 1938 in Fort Madison, IA the daughter of Gilbert Theodore Decker and Alma Lillie Miller Decker.

     She graduated from Fort Madison High School with the class of 1956. As part of her high school experience, she was a member of the Kilties (a school spirit team). 

     As a teenager, Ann was an avid baseball fan. She even occasionally rode the train from Fort Madison to Chicago or Milwaukee to watch professional baseball games.

     After graduating high school, Ann attended Gem City Business College in Quincy, IL and worked in the business field before becoming a wife and mother.

     On July 2, 1961 Ann was united in marriage to Raymond Samuel Peel at the First Christian Church in Fort Madison, IA.  They had two daughter, Donna Howard (James) of St. Francisville, MO and Linda Richardson (Michael) of La Crosse, WI.

     Ann was an unassuming person who put others’ needs before her own, always making sure her family had what they needed and made it look effortless.  She baked countless chocolate angel food cakes from scratch over the years. We smile remembering her mother using the egg yolks to make noodles from scratch and giving the egg whites to Ann for angel food cakes.

     Ann enjoyed listening to gospel quartet music and working search-a-word puzzles.  When time allowed, she followed several college professional sports, having favorite baseball, basketball, football and NASCAR teams.  Figure skating was also a favorite sport to watch.

     Ann is survived by her sister, Linda Morgan (Jeff), brother, Richard Decker (Beverly), two daughters, Donna and Linda, three grandsons, Vincent, TJ (Brittany) and Brice Vaughn, and five great-grandchildren, Josiah “JJ”, Jacob, Jenelle, Carson and Makenna Vaughn, and several nieces and nephews. 

     She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ray and older brother, Ronald Decker. 

     Ann was cremated and will be quietly laid to rest next to Ray at the Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, IA.

     Visitation will be Friday, March 1, 2024 from 2-5 p.m., at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk, IA.  Per her request, there will not be a funeral service or graveside service. 

     The family is grateful to the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Department, West Salem Police Department, West Salem First Responders, Tri-State Ambulance and the Gundersen Health System for their compassion and support during Ann’s last days. 

     Memorials may be made to Bethel Bible Church or to Lee County EMS.

     Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com