Esther M. Decker

  Esther M. Decker, 75, Bemidji, MN and formerly of Grand Forks, ND, died Monday, October 24, 2016 in Sanford Health Center, Fargo, ND. Esther Mae Glanzer was born March 11, 1941 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Paul and Florence (Tschetter) Glanzer. She attended schools in Doland, Bridgewater and Sioux Falls, SD. She attended Kings College in New York and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Huron College, Huron, SD. Esther taught music in public schools in Wolsey, SD and West St. Paul, MN before moving to Grand Forks in 1979. She taught music at Roosevelt, Lewis and Clark, Kelly and Century schools in Grand Forks until retiring in 1999. Esther loved teaching her students, and in turn, they loved her. She taught Sunday school, sang in church choirs and participated in women’s groups. She enjoyed international travel, cooking and especially enjoyed time with her family. Esther married Jerome, “Jerry” Decker on August 27, 1961. He survives along with a son, Mark (Brenda) Decker, Grand Forks; grandchildren, Christopher Decker and Alex Decker, Grand Forks; sisters, Nedine (Frank) Thera, West St. Paul, MN, and Sharla (Phil) Nyvall, Edina, MN. Esther was preceded in death by her parents and by a brother, Tim Glanzer. Memorial Services will be 12:00 noon Friday, October 28, 2016 in Grace Baptist Church of Grand Forks. Visitation will begin one hour before the service in the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be given to the Grand Forks Century School music department.