Obituaries : Pamela (Decker) Van Etten

Pamela (Decker) Van Etten, age 75, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 26, 2020 at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House in Hiawatha.

A Private Family Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Newhall with Rev. Craig Steimel as Celebrant. Interment will be held at St. Patrick Cemetery in Winthrop. In Lieu of flowers, condolences or memorials may be directed to the Benton Scholarship foundation or Hospice of Mercy, and mailed to P.O. Box 285, Newhall, IA 52315.

Pam was born on August 4, 1945, in Independence, the daughter of Ronald and Edith (Conrad) Decker. She grew up on the family farm southeast of Winthrop, graduated from East Buchanan High School and attended Clarke University in Dubuque. She was united in marriage to Jim Van Etten on June 3, 1967 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Winthrop and enjoyed 53 years of marriage.

As a youth, Pam enjoyed playing the piano and clarinet and serving as a church organist. Pam taught private piano lessons, did day care in her home and worked as a closing real estate secretary for many years. She was active in her community as a 4-H leader, member of the library board, the St. Paul's Parish Council, as an RE teacher, eucharistic minister, and a youth choir pianist and director.

She enjoyed traveling, especially in the Great American West. American history and genealogy were also favorite hobbies. She loved attending her five grandson's activities as they were growing up. They meant the world to her.

She is survived by her husband Jim of Newhall; daughter Susan (Michael) Vittetoe of Prairie City; son Mike (Jodi) Van Etten of Williamsburg; five grandsons, Troy and Jacob Vittetoe, and Dillon, Dalton, and Cooper Van Etten; three brothers, Bill Decker, Paul (Judith) Decker, Dennis (Patty) Decker; and several cousins, and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and sister-in-law Kathy Decker.

Online condolences www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com