Eva Decker

Eva Louise (Van Norstrand) Decker, 86, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2025 in Elkhorn, Nebraska. Eva was born May 23, 1939 in Cato, New York to Leon and Marie (Noone) Van Norstrand, the seventh of eight children. On September 3, 1961, she married her high school sweetheart, Edward Decker, and they began their life together in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Together they had two sons, Edward and Christopher. Edward’s career as a geologist and professor took Ed and Eva around the world, and to periods of time living in Wyoming, New Mexico, and finally Orono, Maine. Following Ed’s passing in 2015, Eva returned to New York, living in Auburn and enjoying life with extended family. After a decline in her health, she moved to Nebraska to be closer to son Chris and his family.

Eva can be described by all who knew her as a sweet soul – always concerned about the well-being and comfort of those she loved. She was never one to give up on another person – believing everyone deserved another chance, the benefit of the doubt, and a listening ear. Her greatest delights were her two grandsons, Michael and Evan, whom she adored – and they adored her in return. For them, nothing will ever compare to her homemade mac-and-cheese. She enjoyed traveling, cooking, painting, and other crafts. She loved eating out and always gave the menu a thorough read before deciding on her meal. In her youth, she was known for her beauty and her singing voice. She was the Cayuga County Corn Queen in 1957 and served on the Queen’s Court at the New York State Fair. She was a member of the All State Chorus in 1956. She worked for many years in the Telecommunications Department at the University of Maine in Orono before her retirement.

Eva was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and all of her siblings: sisters Jean (Don) Streeter, Mary (Will) Raftery, Elinor Spoor, Sylvia (Rick) Sweetnam, and Joy (Tiv) Tivnan; and brothers Wilson (Betty) Van Norstrand and Russell (Brenda) Van Norstrand.

Surviving are sons Edward Decker of Troy, New York and Chris (Jennifer) Decker of Omaha, Nebraska; grandsons Michael Decker (Washington, DC) and Evan Decker (Farmington, Michigan); and many extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly.

Services will be held at Cato Christian Fellowship Church in Cato, NY, at 11:00 AM on October 18, 2025, followed by a luncheon. Burial will take place at Union Hill Cemetery in Cato.