Kent Decker
May 15, 2013
Kent C. Decker passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, with family at his side, after a courageous battle with mantle cell lymphoma cancer. Kent was born on August 9, 1947, in Winthrop, Iowa, to Max and Eunice (Franck) Decker. He grew up on the family dairy farm with his thirteen brothers and sisters.
Kent was a veteran in the Vietnam War, having served his country proudly in the United States Army. He built and operated Decker Accounting and Tax Service for over 30 years, and also was a Polk County Clerk of Court Accounting Supervisor for 28 years. Kent loved golfing, working in the outdoors, the San Francisco Giants, the Chicago Bears, Ohio State, and western movies. He raised and showed Boston Terriers and was a member of the Hawkeye Boston Terrier Club. Most recently he loved to spend the winters in Sun Lakes, Arizona, with his wife.
Those left to mourn Kent’s passing are his wife, Cindi; his children, Ashlee Levang and Casey (Karen) Decker; four granddaughters; ten siblings, and a host of other loving family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and a sister.
Family will greet friends from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., on Sunday, May 19, 2013, at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street, with a Vigil to begin at 5:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, May 20, at Christ the King Catholic Church, with a 12:30 p.m. burial at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lymphoma Cancer Society at www.lls.org.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Nancy Grapes Gaffney
05/23/2013
Sorry to hear of Kent's passing. I know we prayed for him in church awhile ago. I was a classmate plus know most of the family.
Larry Murphy
05/20/2013
My sympathies to the Decker family. I worked with Kent for a number of years and always enjoyed our time together. He was a blessing for all of us. I certainly enjoyed his great sense of humor. My thoughts and prayers are with the Decker family during this time.
David and Libby Miller
05/20/2013
We are all blessed by having had Kent in our lives!
He was such an important part of our family. The Miller Family Get Togethers will never be the same, because he was such an ornery tease - and so much fun! (The only think worse than having Kent giving you a hard time, was if he were ignoring you.)
We all loved him dearly!
Tom & Bev. Thole
05/20/2013
So SORRY Cindi, For your Loss. I will forever remember, Kent, John, Tom on S.L. golf course. Noisy, teasing each other, yelling, laughing, having a good time. Than having a beer , on the patio, discussing their game. A meeting of minds. Love Bev. & Tom Thole
Angie Plagman
05/20/2013
Casey, so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Shari Vail
05/20/2013
Cindi, we were so sad to hear of Kent's passing, but glad also that his suffering is over. He always made me feel like I was a ditz in the accounting area! ha! Will miss him in Sun Lakes next winter. Our condolences to all the family.
Vicki O'Conner
05/20/2013
I am so sorry for the lose of Kent, he was ALWAYS a smart A - -. He had all kinds of nick names for me when we worked together at the courthouse. He was missed when he left there and will be missed now. Rest in Peace Decker. My condolences to the family of Kent.
Dennis Johnson
05/19/2013
We only knew you for a short time when we were in Sun Lakes. You always were a better golfer than me, keep up the pars upstairs.
I'll miss you.
The last time we spoke we were leaving to go home, I always marvelled at your positive spirot and humor.
AC Thomas
05/19/2013
Cindi: Words seem inadequate to express the sadness Jen and I feel.
The word condolence comes from the Latin condolere meaning to suffer together." We suffer together with you.
Kent was like my favorite uncle, and we loved him. I lovingly started calling him uncle kent for the past several years; he never stopped me. When we spoke during the past two years...when he was suffering the most...he always made sure that we knew that he loved us.
Kent had a great sense of self-deprecating humor. Three weeks ago when the doctors gave him steroids to get his infections down, he got a little bounce back. He told me - "now I know...how Barry Bond's feels". During the same conversation he said he was having such a hard time drinking pop, and it was hurting him ear-to-ear as well as deep into his brain; then he said "now I know...I have a brain". He was one of the smartest, most-caring, and funniest man I ever knew. I dearly miss him.
May you take comfort in knowing that an angel is watching over you.
Love you - AC and Jenny Thomas
Dr. Timboe, Sarah and Deb
05/18/2013
To the Decker family, Kent was a wonderful man and we were blessed in taking care of him. He loved to give advise about the Buckeyes and always had a smile on his face. Our condolences to all of you through this grieving time of your great loss. Sarah
Linda & Steve Yauk
05/17/2013
To the Decker family, I was shocked and saddened to learn of Kent's passing. We worked together at the courthouse for 26 years. He was a bright spot in that dark dingy place. A fair man with a great sense of humor. He used to call me "shorty" even though I'm 6'1. I thought a lot of Kent. My husband and I send our condolences to all of you.
Babe, Leo & Tamie Grenz
05/17/2013
Dear Cindi - We are so deeply sorry to hear of Kent's loss... His loss is a true loss... He was good to us as our bookkeeper and tax man for many years but much more then that he was a true friend! We will love and miss him till we see him again! Know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers right now.
Jan Rouse
05/16/2013
Kent and Lois hired me as the Administrative Assistant to the Clerk of Court. He always gave me a hard time about being an "Eastsider" but I really enjoyed working with him. I know that he is now in a wonderful place without pain. My sympathy goes out to you, Cindi, and your family during this difficult time.
Greg & Kristy Rasmussen
05/16/2013
Cindi & Family,
We lost a true friend his faith in God was so strong that I truly believe God has taken him in to his arms to a magical place where there is no more pain! He was a man of great strength, dignity, and courage. No matter how much he went through in the years, he always had time to help. The wisdom he shared lives within us. The loyalty he gave to Greg & I will forever be cherished! He was a big part in our success at the Bike Shop, please know how much we valued Kent. Rest in Peace my friend!
The McClay's
05/16/2013
Dear Cindi, Casey, Karen, Ashley and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Kent. May he rest in peace in the loving arms of the Lord.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love Donna, Linda and Todd McClay