Lawrence Decker

Funeral Mass for Lawrence Decker, 89 of Dickinson, will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, October, 23, 2023 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, with Father Chris Kadrmas celebrating.  Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Dickinson.

Visitation for Lawrence will be from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 22, 2023 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson with a Rosary and Vigil service being held at 2:00 p.m.

Lawrence passed away peacefully with family by his side on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at CHI St. Alexius Health in Dickinson.

Lawrence Eugene Decker was born May 16, 1934 in Belfield, the son of Frank and Helen (Huschka) Decker.  He grew up and attended country school, until moving with his family to Dickinson.  When he was 15 years old, Lawrence was offered a job by Ed King to work at King’s Grocery.  This began Lawrence’s 47 year career in the grocery industry. Kings Grocery later became Dan’s Super Valu where Lawrence became the manager of the south location. On October 11, 1955 Lawrence married Adeline Berger.  The couple was blessed with three children, Kayle, Jolyn and James.

Lawrence was skilled at horseshoes, competing in leagues and tournaments over the years.  He was an avid Twins fan and enjoyed bird hunting in the fall.  Lawrence and Adeline enjoyed gardening and spending time fishing at their place at Lake Sakakawea.  They also enjoyed getting together with friends to play pinochle or attend dances with old time music.  Lawrence never missed a chance to socialize, visit or even share a joke with his friends. The nurses were always shocked that Lawrence was never on any medications. He would tell them, “It’s because I like a little Peppermint Schnapps in my coffee.”  Peppermint Schnapps and Whisky Dews may have been his secret to having only spent three days in the hospital in his 89 years.

Lawrence is survived by his wife of 68 years, Adeline; sons, Kayle (Julie) Decker of Sioux Falls, SD; Jim (Bethany) Decker of Dickinson; daughter, Jolyn (James) Kadrmas of Dickinson; grandchildren, Jennifer, Trevor, Channing, Bethany, Joshua, Kasey, Taylor, Riley, Colin, Mya, and Grant; great-grandchildren, Kaleb, Karter, Kalia, Yosiah, Aviella, and Evelyn.  Siblings:  Leonard (Luella) Decker, CA; Clem (Eileen) Decker, Bismarck; Sally (Gilbert) Lorenz, Bismarck; Eileen (Art) Gatzke, New England, ND; Vince (Karen) Decker, MN; MaryAnn Reiss, Dickinson;

He was preceded in death by his parents; in laws, Leo and Helen (Obritschkewitsch) Berger; sister Eleanor Kadrmas; brothers-in-law Tony Reiss, Eugene Kadrmas, John Wosepka, and Melvin Berger; sister-in-law Rita Berger and nephew Kent Wosepka.