Louise Cecile Dechant

Louise Cecile (Wild) Dechant passed peacefully among family at Orchard Haven Care Home in Keremeos BC.

Louise was the first child to mixed farmer John Wild & schoolteacher Mary (Kramer) Wild of Berwyn AB. Young Louise grew up among siblings, cousins, friends, pets, crops, flocks and small herds. She left to finish high school at STM in Fairview AB and then study Education at University of Alberta in Edmonton. Louise met & fell in love with Leo Dechant, and they married in December 1969. They established a home in Fairview, where Louise supported Leo in the Dechant Electric business venture, raised their family and gardens & where Louise taught two generations of young children at STM School. During this period, Louise also studied and taught theology, upgraded her university to Masters of Education, mentored many exchange students, and could be found volunteering at CWL activities, in musical liturgy at STM church, and delivering meals to the elderly. Leo & Louise retired to Keremeos BC and Tucson AZ to continue to enjoy the fruit of the earth and warmer adventures. In retirement, Louise’s volunteering continued to form a large part of her identity; beautifying the town with the Keremeos Garden Club, creating an inviting space at the Keremeos Welcome Center, and nourishing the elderly through Meals-On-Wheels.

Louise loved summer blooms & garden produce, cheerful songs & strumming her guitar, inspiring children toward life-long discovery, camping & walking among nature, family picnics at the beach, reading all genre of literature, simple foods but also rich ethnic cuisines, stimulating conversation, lighting candles & celebrating loved ones. Louise found meaning within Faith, purpose out of Contemplation & joy from her Service.

Louise is survived by her loving husband Leo Dechant of 53 years. Children & Families: Curtis & Amy (Ally, Johnny), Corie (Jordon, Nate), Kenton & Bernadette (Simon, Jayda), Kirby & Silvi (Zoey, Rocco, Alana). Wild Family Siblings & families: Maurice & Lynda (Perry, Leslie, Clinton), Doug & Arlene (Jenny, Jolaina, Matthew), Charlie & Jackie (Mandy, Jared, Josh), Sr. Maureen, John & Ophelia (Brandon, Eric). Dechant Family Siblings & Families: Peter & Margaret (Michael, Ken, Clem, Rob, Ron), Benita (Mark, Shauna), Ben & Connie (Shirley, June, Deana), Fr. Ron, Henry & Lynn (Pam, Marci, Mark), Caroline & Dan (Danielle, Nelson, Jesse), Gene & Rita (Dorian, Lindsey). Aunts & Uncles: Tony & Judy Kramer.

Louise was predeceased within her lifetime by her Mom & Dad (Mary (Kramer) & John Wild), by Leo’s Mom & Dad (Monica (Walisser) & Philip Dechant), by her Grandparents (Frances (Zinselmeyer) & Mattias Kramer; Mary (Elwer) & John Wild), Sister-in-Law Patty, Brother-in-law Jim, Neices Teresa & Joan, and by many Aunts, Uncles & Cousins.

She will be applauded and welcomed home by the faithful generations that have gone before her.