Denise Marie Morigeau

Denise was the eldest daughter born to Fred H & Eileen S Decker on February 23, 1949 at St. Ignatius, MT. On October 20, 2021, she passed on to eternal life after a courageous battle against Covid. She leaves behind many loved ones to join many loved family members and many spoiled animals that have passed before her.
She attended the Dixon Elementary School, St. Ignatius Elementary, the Ursuline School at St. Ignatius graduating from Dixon High School in 1967 as a loyal Dixon Demon fan. Subsequently she attended Salish Kootenai College.

Denise was a proud member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes holding many discussions with family and friends regarding tribal issues and her hopes for the Tribes in the future.

Denise loved where she lived enjoying the scenery of the Mission Mountains and grooming her and Gary’s yards. She enjoyed the mountains, camping, fishing, hiking, “huckleberrying”, and especially her family trips with her children exploring the west. She grew to be the family photohistorian from great grandparents to great grandchildren.

She had a variety of work experiences and prided herself in doing a job well done. She enjoyed her work with Lawrence Aripa of the Coeur d’Alene Reservation in his native art store honing her eye of Native art and paintings. She started work with the Salish and Kootenai Tribal Health Department in July of 1994 earning numerous awards for her work and making many friends.

Denise is preceded in death by her parents, Fred H. and Eileen S. Decker, sister Mary Jean “Bugs” Decker and her Swaney sisters and brothers: Colleen “EO”, Maureen “Kelly”, James “Kitty Kat”, and Doug.

Denise is survived by the love of her life, husband Gary Morigeau. She is survived by her brother Daniel F. Decker and her special sisters Betty Steele, Alberta Bertsch, and Beverly Swaney. And survived by her sons: James Decker-Steele, Richard Steele, Mathew Steele and William Steele, and daughters Caramia Never Misses A Shot and Annie Ross. Grandchildren: Francis Lozeau, Ciera Steele, Bryanna Steele, Uriah Steele, Arnold Cardenas and Alicia Steele. Great grandchildren: Annaleah Lozeau, Ezreal Steele, Arianna Maria Cardenas, Arnold Cardenas, Jr., and Jamie Hugh Malcolm Pablo.

Visitation will be held from 9-1 on Tuesday, October 26, at The Lake Funeral Home, Polson. Then visitation will continue on Tuesday, October 26th at the St. Ignatius Community Center. Later that day a Rosary will be held at 7PM with a wake to follow. Funeral Service will be held at 11 am, Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at St. Ignatius Community Center. Burial will occur immediately after the service at the Decker Family Cemetery.