Amy DeDecker

NORWAY- Amy Jo (Lange) DeDecker, age 67 of Norway, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, December 26, 2022 surrounded by her family in the comfort of her home after a courageous multi-year battle with multiple cancers. She was born on March 22, 1955 in Iron Mountain, to Johanna (later Cuggino) and adopted father Walter Lange. She grew up in Merriman and attended Kingsford High School as part of the class of 1973. After a short stint in Chicago, Amy returned to Dickinson County where she raised her family and remained a resident for the rest of her years. Her career was spent doing what she loved- being around people. This included many years as bus driver and classroom aide, mostly at the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District. The students she drove and taught brought her great joy. She also cooked and bartended at several local establishments including Greenleaf’s and The Thirsty Whale. While she may not have remembered everyone’s name, she most certainly remembered your drink of choice. Her favorite moments were spending time with her family and friends, whether preparing a giant delicious meal, cherishing an unexpected drop in visit, or taking one of the trips that brought her from coast to coast for her granddaughter’s birth in Northern California or her son’s mountaintop wedding in New Hampshire. She also loved her pets, and fancied her dogs the most, breeding German Shepherds for many years and always had at least a couple of four-legged friends keeping her company. Amy is survived by her loving sons Ryan (Nichole) of Francestown, NH and Phillip (Jenny) of Hamilton Lakes with granddaughter Rowen and grandson Jack Pine; sister Tina (Rick) Trepanier with nephew Chase (Megan) and brother Clint (Amanda) Lange with niece Haley and a large extended family and many, many friends. She was preceded in death by both her father and mother. Diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer in the summer of 2017, she lived several wonderful years since then thanks to great care and compassion of the Dickinson County Hospital Oncology and Chemotherapy teams and the Dickinson County Home Health/Hospice team. The addition of a Pancreatic Cancer diagnosis a year ago made her last year more difficult, but she faced it with courage and a determination to live like none other. Family will greet friends on Saturday, January 7 from 11-1 p.m. at the Ortman Funeral Home, followed by a celebration of life to be announced afterwards. Family suggest that memorials may be made on her behalf to the Dickinson County Cancer Unit Loan Closet in Kingsford or the Almost Home Animal Shelter in Quinnesec.

Amy DeDecker

March 22, 1955 - December 26, 2022