Betty Jean Decker, age 84, of Elk Point and formerly of Huron, passed away Monday afternoon, April 24, 2017, at the WelCov Assisted Living Facility in Elk Point, surrounded by family. A celebration of life was held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 29, at First Presbyterian Church in Huron. Burial was in the Riverside Cemetery. Memorials will be established for the First Presbyterian Church of Huron and Hospice of Siouxland.
Betty Jean Decker was born on July 27, 1932, to John and Susan (Hofer) Walter in Huron. She graduated from Huron High School in 1950.
She married Ted Decker Jr. on June 28, 1950, at the Bethel Church, Yale. They farmed together in rural Huron near Lake Byron for over 59 years until Ted's death in 2010.
Betty was a member of the First Presbyterian Church for over 50 years. She was a 4-H leader for over twenty years. Betty enjoyed crocheting, ceramics, Minnesota Twins, local high school and college ball games. She enjoyed gardening and canning, where she was known for her dill pickles. She was her children and grandchildren's greatest supporter. Her greatest joy was hearing of her grandchildren's achievements. Ted and Betty enjoyed camping with family in the Black Hills, in later years at Hart Ranch.
Above all, Betty's true loves were her Lord, her husband, and her family.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, an infant grandson and an infant great-grandson.
She is survived by her six children, Kandis (Keith) Henderson of Carroll, Iowa, Ken (Melodie) Decker of Yale, Keith (Corey) Decker of Huron, Kathleen (Stan) Kijowski of Kansas City, Missouri, Koreen (Dale) Bartel of Burden, Kansas, and Kim (Tom) Leif of Elk Point, SD; twelve grandchildren, Kirk Henderson, Kent (Alicia Snyder) Henderson, Brittni (Pat) Cowan, Brooke (Michael) Krzesowiak, Thomas (Nikki) Roelofsen, Andrew (Abby) Roelofsen, Rebecca (Kevin) Peterson, Leslie Bartel, Lacie (James) Graham, Christopher (Jaymi Watchorn) Leif, Kelsey Leif, and Tyler Leif; seven great-grandchildren, Cole and Easton Garner, Nolan and Owen Graham, Sawyer Roelofsen, Max Peterson and Aubree Leif; two step-great-grandsons, Jarrett Baxa and Matthias Baxa; a special friend, Mavis Leif; a sister, Shirlen (Galen) Jones of Rapid City; and a brother, Michael (Lavonne) Walter of Pierre.