Gary Decker

Gary L. Decker age 70 of Lawler, died Wednesday, January 15, 2014, at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 20, 2014, at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hampton with Pastor Kevin Frey presiding. Interment will be at New Hampton City Cemetery with Zackary Rigel, Derek Rigel, Nickolas Brown, Raymond Winters, Les Winters, Steve Decker, Jeremy Van Horn and Ben Van Horn serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Carrie Brown, Frank Wilson and Jackie Henderson. Friends may greet the family from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Sunday, January 19, 2014, at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Gary Lee Decker was born April 23, 1943 in Postville, Iowa, the son of Harold and Mildred (Fish) Decker. Gary attended Waukon High School and graduated in 1962. After high school, Gary went to Cedar Falls to begin schooling to become a barber. On July 21, 1962 he married Bernice Van Horn. To this union three daughters were born, Denice, Lori and Patty. Gary started to work for Chick Leonard in Lawler after his schooling was complete. After several years of working for Chick’s barber shop, Gary purchased the business from him and renamed it Gary’s Barber Shop. He owned and operated the business for over 50 years. Gary enjoyed fishing at his cabin in Minnesota, camping, square dancing and ballroom dancing. He always took pleasure in watching sports, especially the Hawkeyes and Cubs. Gary was a hard worker and was constantly involved in the community. He was a firemen for the Lawler Fire Department for 38 years, acting as chief for several of those years. Gary drove bus for the Turkey Valley School District for over twenty years, was a charter member of the Lawler Lions Club, was an active member at Trinity Lutheran Church of New Hampton and was always looking for ways to help the community.Gary always cherished the time he spent with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren. Gary is survived by his three daughters, Denice Decker of Belle Plaine, IA, Lori (Bradley) Brown of Neveda, IA, Patty (Chris) Rigel of Lawler, IA; his special friend, Judy McIntosh of Decorah, IA; four grandchildren, Zackary Rigel, Carrie Brown, Derek Rigel, Nickolas Brown; one great-grandchild, Dawson; six in-laws, Wesley Winters, Sharon Decker, Neal (Nancy) Van Horn, Cheryl Moran, Karen (Joe) Hermann and Kevin (Christine) Van Horn. Gary was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Bernice in 2009; one brother, Robert Decker; one sister, Evelyn Winters.