Albert Decker

Albert Decker, age 98, a long time Huron, SD, resident and past owner of Double D Western Store, passed away Monday, November 3, 2025, at Avantara - Huron. He was married to Marilyn Walter June 16, 1948. They farmed for many years north of Huron. After fighting the good fight, dad heard his name "when the roll was called up yonder' on Monday and joyfully left the restraints of his earthly body to enter his heavenly home.

His services will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, November 9, at Bethesda Church. Burial will follow in the Bethesda Church section of Ideal Cemetery. His service will be live-streamed.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Saturday at the Kuhler Funeral Home. A time of sharing will be held at 7:00 PM, Saturday evening at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to Gideons International and Byron Bible Camp.

On September 2, 1927, Albert Decker joined a large and loving family on the Decker family farm near Hitchcock, SD. His parents were John M. Decker and John's second wife, Katie (Pullman) Decker. After Albert's birth, two more sisters joined the family to make 16 children in all. He always had many playmates as some of his older siblings were already married and had started their own families.

Albert spent his childhood on the family farm where he developed a lifelong appreciation for hard work and the outdoors. He attended Blue Bell School through the 8th grade and even as a young lad was expected to complete chores. As he grew older, more responsibility was expected, particularly during harvest time.

The Decker family attended Ebenezer Church faithfully. Albert gave his heart to Christ at a young age during evangelistic meetings held by John Mendel. He was baptized September 14,1941, in the James River. This decision remained meaningful for him throughout his life.

In 1942, the Decker family moved to Huron, SD. Albert attended Huron High School for one year before going to work for his sister, Adena and her husband, John Hofer, on their farm near Yale, SD. Later, he accompanied his parents to Washington to visit his brother, Harry. Harry's wife, Rose helped him find a job as a rivet bucker with the Boeing Company in Tacoma, WA. This began his interest in airplanes and influenced him to sign up for the Army Air Corps. With his parents' permission, at the age of 17, he set off for basic training and airplane mechanics at Kessler Field, MS. He spent time at Amarillo, TX and the Army Air Force base in CA. By the time his training was complete, the war was over.

Albert came home and resumed working for his sister. He met his future wife, Marilyn Walter, after a school event in Yale, SD. The happy couple married June 16, 1948, and made their home on a farm near Yale. In the early years of their marriage, Albert farmed and worked at Armour and Co, Huron, until he became ill with nephritis. Following his doctor's advice to relocate to a warmer climate, the family moved to Reedley, CA, in 1955. Albert worked for a car dealership recapping tires. About 15 months later, they returned to SD. and settled on a farm northeast of Huron, where they raised cattle, hogs, chickens and sheep. They also planted a huge truck garden close to the river and sold produce to local stores. Marilyn and the children were always part of the team, helping with chores, moving irrigation pipes, weeding the garden and harvesting the crops.

Albert worked hard at everything he did. As his children started going to high school, he returned to school himself, attending Northwest College of Commerce in Huron. He studied speech, bookkeeping, math and penmanship. In the 1960's he began raising registered Montadale sheep, showing them at the SD State Fair and other fairs throughout the Midwest, earning many trophies and ribbons. Later, he showed cattle as well.

Albert and Marilyn farmed from the time of their marriage until 1986, when they sold the farm and bought an acreage east of Huron. Albert started a new venture selling horse tack and livestock supplies, first from their garage and then at livestock events and fairs. He opened Double D Western Store on old highway 14, west of Huron. Marilyn and the children helped with the business when he traveled on the road. The business flourished and was moved to Southtown Mall in 1996, where it expanded several times. Albert took trailer loads of merchandise to shows across the Midwest, including the North American International Livestock Exhibition (NAILE) in Louisville, KY. He also operated a store in his building at the SD State Fair supplying exhibitors with equipment and supplies for livestock.

In 2006, Albert sold the business and retired. He enjoyed tending a large garden around his warehouse, growing vegetables and flowers for his family. He also completed the Master Gardener course, continuing his lifelong love of nurturing the land.

Albert was an outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing and trapping. A good day for him was sitting in his boat on the lake, fishing with his sons, son-in-law, grandsons or himself. He loved to watch the clouds and birds, admire the sunsets and marvel at thunderstorms as they rolled across the prairie.

Albert and Marilyn became members of Bethesda Church, Huron, shortly after they were married and have been faithful members for 70 plus years. Albert served in many capacities over the years: Sunday School teacher, Sunday School superintendent, elder and deacon. Even in his later years, Albert's faith and service remained strong. The year he turned 84, he and other family members traveled to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to lead a daily Vacation Bible School. He read his Bible daily and was a prayer warrior, especially for his family.

He also served on the James Valley Christian School Board and the Valley Township Board several years in his younger days.

Albert's health gradually declined causing him to be placed on hospice care in November 2024. His "helicopter" kids lovingly cared for him in their parents' apartment until August 11, 2025, when he was admitted to Avantara. There, surrounded by Marilyn, his family and caring staff, he continued to receive love and support.

Albert loved his family and treasured every visit from them. More than anything, he wanted his family to follow Jesus. The one thing he would want you to know is that there is a great, loving, merciful, and gracious God. The Bible is His Word, God-inspired and written by men. It tells of God's love for all people (John 3:16). When you believe that His son Jesus died for your sins and ask Him for forgiveness, God forgives you and makes you His child. After that, you grow as His child by reading His Word and learning His will.

After fighting the good fight, Albert heard his name "when the roll was called up yonder' on November 3, 2025, and joyfully left the restraints of his earthly body to enter his heavenly home. He hopes to see you all there.

Those left to celebrate his home-going are the love of his life, Marilyn, with whom he shared 77 years of marriage; his children, Twyla (Larry) Miller and her daughters, Nancy Wicker and Wendy (Mark) McDermaid, all of Huron, SD, Larry's son, Pastor Lee (Janelle) Peterson of Pillager, MN; Valerie (Doug) Roberts of Forsyth, MT and their sons, William (Brooke) Roberts of Deadwood, SD and Ben (Rose) Roberts of Spearfish, SD; LeAllen Decker of Iroquois, SD and his children, Mandi (Brian) Moore of Sioux Falls, SD, Josalyn Deurmier of Canton, SD and Jonathon (Emily) Decker of Dell Rapids, SD; Kathie (Tom) Peyton of Huron and their children, Gwen (Tim) Griffiths of Rickreall, OR, Joshua Peyton of Sioux Falls, SD and Jana (Brandon) Voth of Maple Falls, WA; Carol (Jim) Hulbert, Iroquois, SD and daughters Joni (Eric) Larson of Aberdeen, SD and Luci (Dan) Seid of Lead, SD; and Jeffrey (Sheri) Decker of Huron and children Lucas (Shannon) Decker of Sioux Falls, SD and Samantha Nicolai of Charlotte, NC. He is also survived by a host of great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. He is survived by one sister, Gladys Wedel; and many nieces and nephews and their families living all over the United States.

Preceding him in death were his parents; two grandchildren, Jennifer Decker and Rowdy Roberts; and his siblings and their spouses, John (Annie), Jake (Mary), Sam (Emma), Mary (Albert) Kleinsasser, Kathryn (David) Glanzer, Adena (John) Hofer, David (Ruth), Sally (George) Waldner, Ann (Ernest) Wipf, Harry (Rose), Joseph, Martha, Reuben (Betty) and Alberta (Wayne) Walter; and one brother-in-law, Toby Wedel.