Marilynn R. Decker

Marilynn R. Decker, 78, passed away Tuesday, October 24th, 2017. She passed peacefully in her sleep, at home with her much loved sons and daughter. She had lived completely independently, in the home she shared with her beloved husband, Frank, until just 5 weeks ago, almost 2 years after his passing. This was a blessing for this strong, independent woman.

Marilynn was born December 27th, 1938 in Detroit, MI to Rorick Malicent and Clara Evelyne (Messinger) Baker. She graduated from Topeka High School, and immediately went to work full time in the insurance business. She moved from a small insurance agency where she had worked as a secretary to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. She worked as an executive secretary for Henry Minors (sp) and eventually oversaw the implementation and development of the Hotline, for provider questions to be more rapidly answered. She also chaired Doctor Liason Committee Meetings for the state, and helped develop the medical nomenclature that would eventually become the AMA/CPT manuals used for medical billing for decades. Her reputation for hard work, knowledge, and integrity made her indispensable. Her knowledge of both medical nomenclature, as well as Blue Shield policy was coupled with her abiding desire to be right. She was famous for never guessing, always certain that if she gave an answer, it was correct. And if she didn't know, she would find out. And she did.

When Marilynn left BCBS, she took over the business office operations for a growing group medical practice named Internal Medicine, PA. It would eventually become the Cotton-O'Neil Clinic that is the largest medical clinic in Topeka. She managed the entire business office until she left in 1988 to partner with her son, Greg Wallace, to form a medical billing company, Professional Business Services, that set records for the quality of its work, and provided quality services in Topeka for 14 years until her retirement.

She retired from PBS to spend time with the love of her life, her best friend and soulmate, her husband, Frank L. Decker. In 40 years of marriage, they rarely spent a moment apart until his death nearly two years ago. She maintained her independence until falling ill 5 weeks ago. While the illness contributed to her passing, she was ready to be back together with her love.

Her one hobby in life was her family. She cherished her sons, Rick, Steve, and Greg, and her daughter, Mandi. Mandi was actually her daughter-in-law, but she always introduced her as the daughter she never got to have, but her son went out and found for her. And she treated her that way her entire life. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with all her heart. She spent thousands of hours in her lifetime watching them play baseball, sitting side by side with Frank. She loved traveling with Frank, they logged thousands of miles over nearly 3 decades of traveling in their RV across the country. They maintained homes in Branson, MO and Englewood, FL. She loved shopping for art, jewelry, and home décor. Her eye for quality and detail yielded many pieces that she paid less than $100 for that sold for thousands.

Even friends of the family felt like family with Marilynn. She was much loved and will leave behind many people richer for having known her but poorer for having her gone.

Marilynn was preceded in death by her daddy, Howard J. Still, her mom, Clara Evelyne Still Kirchmer (Messinger), her husband, Frank L. Decker, her brother, Kenneth V. Still, and her son, Richard G. Wallace.

She is survived by her brother, Ron (Karen) Baker, sister-in-law, D'Ann Still, two sons, Greg (Mandi) Wallace, and Steve Wallace. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent to the Topeka Rescue Mission, 600 N Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS 66608.

All who knew and loved her will miss her.