Dolores "Dee" LaBrie

Dolores “Dee” M. Decker LaBrie passed away peacefully at Belfair of Shawnee, on May 23, 2021, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Dolores was born on December 2, 1926 to Oscar and Magdelen (Ludowese) Decker in Fairfax, Minnesota. The family farmed briefly in Elkton, South Dakota and Hospers, Iowa before building a home in Emmetsburg, Iowa in 1936 to farm. She graduated from Emmetsburg Catholic High School in 1944 and graduated from St. Vincent College of Nursing in 1947, where she got her nickname, “Dee”. She loved nursing and continued to care for the health of those around her all her life. On October 2, 1947, Dolores married Roland J. LaBrie and they raised their five children in Sioux City, Iowa. Dee enjoyed playing cards, camping, fishing, bowling, golfing, dancing, and walking, and continued those activities most of her life. And wherever she lived, Dee had a garden. She had a servant’s heart, whether serving as President of the Postal Auxiliary, being a gallon blood donor, playing with her grandchildren, or nursing. In 1986, Dolores and Roland retired to Bella Vista, Arkansas. Dolores provided patient, loving care for Roland as he battled cancer. After he passed in 2001, Dolores continued to travel to visit family and friends. She especially enjoyed being in Sioux City on Wednesdays to meet with the book club at Princes Tavern. On December 21, 2006, Dee married Ray Grueter in Bella Vista, Arkansas. They shared many happy memories, and stayed active by bowling, golfing, playing cards, and enjoying the beauty of Arkansas. Dee wrote in her memory book to her grandchildren that family and her Catholic faith were very important to her. She will long be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, nurse, friend, and second mom who opened up her home and her heart to those around her. Dolores is preceded in death by her husband Roland; her parents; her siblings and their spouses: Mary (Gene) Zitzlsperger, Ethel (Norm) Williams, Leola (Ray) Noreen, Vern Decker, Kathleen (Kenny) Graesing, and brother-in-law John Leuer; daughter-in-law Loretta LaBrie, grandson Jeff LaBrie, and granddaughter Alijah Blue Allison. She is survived by her husband, Ray, her sister Louise Leuer, sisters-in-laws Betty Decker, Marie Schauer and Elaine Kerr, her children Marian (Gary) Salwierak, Ed LaBrie, Jeanie LaBrie (Mike Bowden), Rick LaBrie and Patty (Ed) Hastings; her 18 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren, numerous nephews and nieces. Two additional great grandchildren are due this year. The family wishes to thank the Eucharistic Ministers of St. Benedict Parish, Heartland Hospice, and the staff at Belfair of Shawnee and for their loving care of Dee these last years. The family suggests that donations be made to Alzheimer’s Disease Research (22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD, 20871) in lieu of flowers. Funeral Services will be handled by Walker Funeral Home of Shawnee. Wake service will be at St. Benedict Church (Shawnee) on Friday, June 18, at 7:00. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, June 19 at 10:00 at St. Benedict Church with Father Joseph Schwarz officiating. Burial will be in the Fayetteville National Cemetery in Fayetteville, AR, next to Roland LaBrie.