Ronald Lane Decker

(Jan. 17, 1931 - Jan. 3, 2025)

Posted

Ronald Lane Decker passed away peacefully Jan. 3, 2025, at the age of 93 at Morning Star Senior Living in Billings, Montana.

Ronald “Ronnie” Lane Decker was born in Hollenburg, Kansas, Jan. 17, 1931, to Oliver Frank Decker and Erma Iris Outhier. Ronnie was the third of nine children. 

Ronnie attended schools in Carleton, Nebraska, and Aberdeen, Washington. He arrived in Powell, Wyoming, at the age of 14, changing oil and working on cars and later working at the Ford garage. 

He met the love of his life, LaVeda Muriel Schmitt, during a stay in the Powell hospital with appendicitis in June 1948. They married Sept. 30, 1948 in Billings, Montana.

They began their farming career by leasing land to farm while they both held down jobs. They started a family when their first son, Gene, was born in 1951, followed by daughter, Ronda in 1953, son, LaVern “Vern” in 1955, daughter Kathy in 1957; and daughter Colleen in 1963.

Ronnie and LaVeda purchased the family farm on the Willwood in 1963; and remained there until they retired from farming in 1975. Ronnie and LaVeda were a team. LaVeda was a true “farmer’s wife” working beside Ronnie irrigating at 4 a.m., driving truck, feeding livestock, making three square meals a day, maintaining a home and all farm life called for. There was always room at the table for anyone who dropped by. 

Ronnie had an entrepreneurial spirit. He owned several different businesses before fully retiring. He was very handy, building and remodeling houses, restoring cars, auto repairs, electrical — anything that needed fixed. Ronnie was self-taught and determined. He enjoyed fishing, and watching and hearing about his grandkid’s activities. He always wanted to know how the grandkids were doing. Ronnie loved his family deeply and was obnoxiously proud of each of them!

He was preceded in death by his wife, LaVeda; son, Vern; his parents; brothers Charlie, Duane, Roe and Harry; grandson Zach (Kathy); and sister-in-law, Judy Beerline.

He is survived by son, Gene (Jeannie) Decker; daughters, Ronda (Roy) Close, Kathy (Rex) Brown, Colleen (Rick) Renner; daughter-in-law, Kim Decker (Vern); 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren, five great -great-grandchildren; brothers Monte (Fran) and Terry Decker (Joyce); sisters, Davise (Larry) McFetridge and Vivian (Tom) Curtiss; sister-in-law, Joan Burch; and brother-in-law, Eldon Schmitt.

As per Ronnie’s wishes cremation has taken place, and a family celebration will take place in the summer.

The family would like to thank Dr. William Phillips and Roxie, Andrew Campbell, PA, Lainey Reynolds and staff, Stillwater Hospice, and the caregivers and staff at Morning Star Senior Living.

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