Bernice Browning Decker

Bernice (Browning) Decker, AKA “Grandma Juice” was welcomed into Heaven on Sunday, October 15 from her home in the memory unit at Grand Haven Retirement Community in Eldridge, Iowa. Private Funeral services will be held at 11:00am, Friday, October 27 at Pleasant View Baptist Church. Public visitation will begin at 10:00 am. At the church. Private burial will follow the service at Glendale Cemetery in LeClaire. Halligan-McCabe-Devries Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Bernice was born in Mystic, IA, March 14, 1926, to Oral and Lamair Ford. She was united in marriage to Robert L. Browning in 1943. They had three daughters. Robert died in 1979. She later married Larry E. Decker in 1982 at Pleasant View Baptist Church where Bernice was a charter member. Larry passed away in 2004.

Bernice’s family was in the restaurant business. Bernice managed several restaurants including the dining room at the Davenport Municipal Airport. In 1961, she went to work for the Rock Island Arsenal and retired in 1986 from MQARMCOM after 25 years. Her greatest joy in retirement was traveling, reading and cooking for family celebrations. She also spent many hours quilting with her sister Katy. After retirement, she and Larry moved to Centerville, IA for 15 years where Bernice was a member of the First Baptist Church. She was active in the Ladies Quilting group, the Missionary Circle, volunteered at the local food pantry, delivered Meals on Wheels and led services at a local care center. They lived in Florida for a few years before moving back to the Quad Cities to Eldridge.

Bernice’s favorite day was Saturday when her grandchildren and great-grandchildren came for breakfast. She made scrambled eggs, sausage links and cinnamon rolls or coffee cake every Saturday and always had a special juice for the kids. Thus, the nickname “Grandma Juice” which she is still known as to this day. Disaster struck one day however, when someone got the middle cinnamon roll before her great-grandson Connor did. Many tears and laughs were shared that day as well as many treasured memories on Saturdays.

Left to honor her memory are daughters Kathleen Wagner, Bonnie Boehl (Carl) and step-children Steve Decker, Dave Decker (Elvia), Terri Decker (Cile), and Lynne Banks. Sharing in her memory are her grandchildren Stacie Giesecke (Richard), Nikki Pitcher (Jeff), Karen Pauly (Pat), Valen Wagner (Stephanie), Chantrelle Wagner, Tim, Brian, Sheryl and Jeff Burggraf, and Kim Cole. Very special great-grandchildren will also be sharing in her memory as well as great-great-grandchildren and several nieces.

Preceding her in death were her husbands, Robert L. Browning and Larry E. Decker, daughter Suzanne Burggraf, step-grandson Jim Decker, great-grandson Jack Pauly, step-grandson John Banks, her sisters Catherine Efaw and Dorothy Lauck and niece Cynthia McDonald.

We would like to thank Grand Haven for their love and care for the past 12 years. A special thank you to the staff at the Memory Unit. Many thanks to Genesis Hospice for their excellent care and to her special friends and family who loved and supported her.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Bernice by spending quality time with your family and tell them they are loved. If you wish, you may donate to the Vacation Bible School Fund at Pleasant View Baptist Church, the Memory Unit at Grand Haven, or Genesis Hospice.