In Memory
Margaret Jane “Peg” Decker Bell
- Birth
-
Imperial, Chase County, Nebraska, USA
- Death
- 30 Nov 2022 (aged 78)
Sterling, Logan County, Colorado, USA
- Burial
-
McCook, Red Willow County, Nebraska
Margaret Jane “Peg” (Decker) Bell, 78, passed away November 30th, 2022 in Sterling, Colorado. Her service will be held at Tennant Funeral Home on December 9th, 2022 at 11am with viewing available prior to the service. Per her wishes, she will be buried next to her parents at Memorial Park Cemetery in McCook, Nebraska on December 10th, 2022 at 11am CST. Peg was born on November 13, 1944 in Imperial Nebraska to James Ennis Decker and Margaret (Skinner) Decker. She was a “surprise” third child to the couple. Medicine at this time was not what it is today, leaving her parents not the most prepared for the birth of twins. Peg had always joked that her favorite brother Jim had pushed her out of the way and hogged the spotlight. One of her most favorite stories to tell was that when doctors told her father that Jim was born but there was another baby on the way, he said, “Shut her off!” Thus, by a mere 15minutes, Peg became the baby of the family. She and Jim would then go on to terrorize and adore their older sister Janet for the years to follow. Peg attended schools in McCook Nebraska and graduated from McCook High School as a member of the class of 1963. Peg spoke fondly of her high school years, enjoying the social aspects a bit more than the academics. She loved cruising Main, where she even received an award in the form of a citation for honking a bit too loudly at night. She spent some of her time as a member of the school’s Pep Club and as an attendant at Homecoming. She had many friends throughout high school and remained in contact with many through her adult years. She also took on the role of contact person for the Class of ‘63 Reunion Committee and attended almost every reunion held for the class. She would also “force” her brother Jim into attending. While she very much enjoyed telling her brother what to do, she simply wanted him there to celebrate with her. They were “womb-mates" and spent every birthday together until they were 40. They missed a few along the way but had spent the last few together again, including their 78th just a few weeks ago. After high school, Peg made the decision to attend Chadron State College in honor of her father. However, once she arrived she quickly became home sick and called her brother Jim to drive up to get her the next day. She later graduated from Kearney State College and then became a business teacher and Pep Club Sponsor in Sandy Creek, Nebraska. Although she had followed in both of her parents footsteps into the field of education, she decided that wasn’t the career for her. She then began her decades long career as a legal secretary. Starting her journey in McCook, Nebraska and then continuing until well past her 2009 retirement in Sterling, Colorado. She worked various roles at Arnold, Ross, and Singer for over 30 years. Not only did she consider Baxter, Dick, and Mike wonderful bosses, but she became very close to their families and considered them all dear close friends. Even after her retirement, she continued to lend her expertise to Baxter with legal paperwork and advice. She was not only excellent at her job but she loved the environment and the people that she worked there with. She was a member of Logan County and State of Colorado Legal Secretaries and attended a meal with two of her fellow members a week before her passing. She was a member of several organizations including Busy Bees and the Logan County Democrats. Peg married Lowell Bell on March 13, 1981 and they were married until Lowell’s passing on March 28, 2018. The two traveled frequently and shared many adventures together in their 37 years of marriage. They made trips to England and Scotland as well as many other destinations in the United States. They had adventures white water rafting and Peg even went on a hot air balloon ride. Peg didn’t like talking to strangers on the phone, yet she loved adventure and was up for a celebration any time, especially her birthday. She also enjoyed celebrating others and was in charge of baking special birthday cakes for her coworkers at Arnold, Ross, and Singer. Some of her cakes were known to have some rather interesting ingredients (sauerkraut and pinto beans to name a few), but all tasted amazing. However, Peg was no longer allowed to make pies after her incident at Thanksgiving when she omitted the spices (or used spices past their best by date) in the pumpkin pie. The result was not palatable and this blemish remained on her record permanently. She was also known for her cinnamon twists. She shared her recipe and time with her good friend’s nieces to make them as a holiday tradition. She also taught her niece how to can and preserve peaches. Peg was an avid vegetable gardner and her gardens were bountiful for many years. Peg never had children of her own, but did gain two step-children when she married Lowell. She enjoyed spoiling those around her such as her nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces at every opportunity that she could. All of her friend’s children and nieces and nephews also became very special to her and she would support them in any way she could. Peg loved receiving gifts and shopping (clothes and shoes were her achilles), but she enjoyed giving to others even more. If she could give, she would, and if she didn’t have as much to give, she would talk Lowell into helping her give what she thought others needed. Lowell would grumble, but most often, he would comply to make Peg content. He had nicknamed her PITA for good reason. Peg was preceded in death by her parents, James and Margaret, her husband, Lowell, as well as other extended family members and dear friends. She is survived by her favorite sister Janet Turley (John) of Highlands Ranch, CO; her favorite brother, Jim Decker (JoAnn) of Benkelman, NE; her five nieces and nephews, John Turley, Denver CO, Jason Turley (Cindy) of Owatonna, MN; Kim Charles-Smith (Robert) of Brighton, CO; Kristy Dankenbring (Jimmy Raynor) of Palm Bay, FL; and James Decker (Erin) of St. Louis, MO; her step-children, Lauri Warta (Tim) of Lincoln, NE and Romey Bell of Sterling, CO, along with her three granddaughters, several great nieces and nephews, her “fake” nieces and nephews, extended family, and countless friends. To know Peg was to love Peg. She brought light and joy to everyone that had the pleasure of knowing her. She loved unconditionally and always was in the corner and had the backs of those she cared about. She loved her home, she loved life, and she loved sharing both unselfishly. Peg was a lover of animals, especially the feline type. She had several special cats throughout her life and always wanted many more. Memorials to be made in Peg’s honor to Logan County Humane Society, care of Tennant Funeral Home, PO Box 1547, Sterling CO 80751.
Sue Harrison (Jewell) (1963)
I DEEPLY MISS MY SIDE-KICK, BEST FRIEND FROM CHILDHOOD! RIP AS I RELIVE IN MEMORY ALL THE ADVENTURES WE SHARED!