Tamara Von Gemmingen
Story Created:
Mar 7, 2008 at 10:14 AM AKDT
Story Updated:
Mar 7, 2008 at 10:14 AM AKDT
Olga Dups Dekreon, 86, died peacefully March 2, 2008, at Providence Alaska Medical Center, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Dekreon was born March 8, 1921, in Hamburg, Germany, to Heinrich "Henri" and Nellie Dups. After immigrating to the United States as a child, Mrs. Dekreon lived in Great Neck on Long Island, N.Y., until her marriage to Joseph "Mike" Dekreon in 1944. Mr. Dekreon was stationed in Bremerhaven during the war, and after joining him, she resided in Germany for the next eight years. In Germany, they enjoyed European travel and sport hunting. Five of their nine children were born while they were stationed in Germany.
After returning to the states, the Dekreons lived in Bellingham, Wash., until relocating to Anchorage in 1960. The Dekreons have lived in Eagle River since 1972.
Olga was office manager for the family construction business and served as bookkeeper, receptionist and clerical staff. After her husband's death in 1980, Mrs. Dekreon worked as an administrative assistant at the UAA Chugiak-Eagle River campus until her retirement in June 2004.
She loved to sew and was known for her impeccable sense of fashion and style. Mrs. Dekreon loved animals, reading, golf and travel. She was a frequent visitor to the Alaska Zoo, local libraries, and an avid league bowler for many years. She was an enthusiastic collector of dragonflies, particularly jewelry, and had a large collection of teapots. She was active in community affairs including the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce, the PTA, the Boy Scouts and the Southcentral Museum of Natural History. In her later years, she loved tea, cookies and conversation.
Mrs. Dekreon was preceded in death by her husband, Mike; her infant daughter, Stephanie; and her siblings, Louis and Barbara.
She is survived by eight children, Michael, Mark, Julie, Gail, Louise, Susan, Andrew and Peter and their spouses; 18 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and her two dogs, Onyx and Charlie.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Chugiak-Eagle River Food Pantry, P.O. Box 770322, Eagle River 99577.
