Catherine Decker Gronefeld went peacefully home to Jesus on Wednesday, February 15 at the age of 90.
Cathy was born to Michael and Mable Steinmetz on November 22, 1932 in Guilford, IN.
Cathy married Claude Decker on August 2, 1950 and went on to have 8 amazing children, Bob (Ann) Decker, Debbie (Ed) Miller, Larry (Sharon) Decker, Linda (Dave) Bedel, Jim (Chrissie) Decker, John (Linda) Decker, Ron Decker, and Brenda (Steve) Collier. She has 24 grandkids, 51 great grandkids, and 1 great, great grandson.
Cathy and Claude’s home was a place where the neighborhood kids felt at home, even calling her mom. There were always kids coming and going. She never knew how many extras would be at the dinner table.
In addition to being a busy mother, Cathy spent many enjoyable years working for her close friends at Deddens Bakery. She went on and got her Real Estate license and became a very successful realtor.
Throughout her life she was happiest sitting on the couch working on a quilt or crocheting an afghan, while listening to her country music and singing along to the words. She loved going to Bingo and seemed to always bring home winnings. She had so much fun making doll clothes for her granddaughters, great granddaughters and giving them away to other little girls.
Cathy loved having all her family around her. Family gatherings were very special to her. She enjoyed teaching her grandkids and great grandkids how to play games and crochet.
After Claude’s passing Cathy married Bob Gronefeld. She was blessed with spending 10 happy years with Bob until his passing.
In her later years she looked forward to playing cards every week with her special group of friends. She also loved playing dominoes and doing puzzles. She spent a lot of time baking and giving it away.
Throughout Cathy’s entire life, she held an unwavering faith in God, which she shared with those who surrounded her. She prayed her rosary daily. She was very involved in St. Paul’s Catholic Church. Beyond the many donations she made to the church, she was well known for donating one of her hand made quilts each year for the church picnic.
Cathy now joins Claude who preceded her in death on February 13, 2000 and Bob who preceded her death on June 20, 2010. She was also preceded in death by her brothers Louis, Charles, Raymond Steinmetz and sisters Jean Fugitt and Margaret Tibbetts. One grandchild Amanda Decker and one great grandchild Milo Oles. She is survived by her sister Janice Wagner and two sisters-in-law Edith and Emily Steinmetz.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Sunman Food Pantry.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 20, 2023, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in New Alsace with Father Jonathan Meyer officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may visit at the church from 9:00 a.m. until time of Mass.
To send condolences or sign the online guest book go to, www.cookrosenberger.com. The staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home is honored to serve Catherine’s Family.