Steven Decker

Apr 8, 1962 -

Nov 29, 2022

Steven Arthur Nasaniq Decker, known by close friends and family as Steve, passed away on Nov. 29, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska, at age 60. He was born on April 8, 1962, in The Dalles, Ore., to his parents Shirley and the late Art Decker. He was the oldest of four children.

Steve is survived by his wife, Marilyn Decker; children, Kristina Decker and Jessica Itta; and mother, Shirley Decker. Grandchildren include Kiana Brower, Keisha Brower and Nash Brower II, with many great-grandchildren and beloved nieces and nephews. Siblings include Stan and Tonya Decker, Linnea and Ron Holmes, and Scott and Lindsay Decker.

Steve grew up on a ranch in north-central Oregon, but his heart was set from childhood toward Alaska. He moved to Utqiavik, around the age of 19, because his uncle Don Verstrate and cousin Greg Verstrate lived there. Steve and Marilyn met, at age 23, in 1985, who would become his wife. Steve and his friends were stranded with a broken Ski-Doo, and Marilyn came to his rescue. After that, he followed Marilyn everywhere until they became boyfriend and girlfriend and married on July 30, 1990, in Fairbanks, Alaska. After that, Steve's fate was sealed as an honorary adopted-by-marriage Inupiaq. He was proud of the Inupiaq culture and loved the people.

Steve was a savvy, intelligent man who made his education a priority. In 2010, Steve earned his Associate of Applied Science in apprenticeship technology; in 2019, he received his Bachelor of Science in applied technologies leadership. Steve had several certificates and was part of the honor society. For work, he has been a plumber and an electrician, worked at Mark Air and was the Project Administrator with the North Slope Borough until his passing.

Steve was a dear husband, a son, a brother, a dad, an aapa, an amou, an uncle and a friend to many who will deeply miss him.