April 20, 1932 -- August 31, 2024
STILLWATER, Minn. -- Norman James Decker was born on April 20, 1932, to Jacob and Maude Decker on a farm north of St. Charles, Minnesota. For the first years of his education, he went to a one room schoolhouse and then graduated from St. Charles High School in 1950. He was drafted into the Army in 1953 and served for two years in Germany and France.
After the Army, he received his B.A. degree in business administration with minors in geography and French from Winona State University in 1958. For two years after graduation, he became a field auditor for the Minnesota Department of Public Welfare. He then served as budget examiner for the Minnesota Department of Administration and staff director of the Finance Committee for the Minnesota State Senate, before moving the family to Winona to become the vice president of administrative affairs at Winona State College in 1968, a role he served for 23 years. After retirement, he became a financial advisor, which had been a lifelong hobby of his, helping many family members and friends plan their financial future.
In 1959, he married the love of his life, Janette Rachael Blau, and they had five children. They lived in Rochester, Roseville, White Bear Lake and Winona over their 64 years of marriage. Norm loved to travel with his family and wife, visiting 45 countries, all 50 states and most of the Canadian provinces. He also enjoyed golf, tennis, hiking and badminton. He also loved flying and had his private pilot license with instrument rating. Norm was active in the community and served on the Winona School Board, the board of directors for the Watkins Home, the operations council for the Winona Chamber of Commerce and the board of directors of the River Trails Girl Scouts Council, for which he served as chair of the Finance Committee.
He is survived by his wife, Janette; and five children, Susan (John) Lenczewski, Karen Hedtke, Linda (Brad) Olson, Michael (Carly) Decker, Janel (Jon) Wittmayer, Greg Hedtke; his grandchildren, Mark (Erica), Joseph, and Bridget Lenczewski, Megan (Brandon) Bogdalek, Lukas (Alyssa) Hedtke, Marie (partner Ryan Johnson) and Amy Olson, Jacob and Mason Decker, Zachary Wittmayer, his stepgrandchild, Christopher Wittmayer; great-grandchild, Addie Hedtke and great-stepgrandchildren: Rosie and Franklin Wittmayer.
The family asks that donations be made to Breakthrough T1D (formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)) in Norm's name in lieu of flowers.
At 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 16, a small graveside ceremony will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery, Winona, for immediate family and close friends, followed by a celebration of Norm's life from noon to 4 p.m. with a sharing of memories at noon followed by lunch, at Hoff Celebration of Life Center, 3480 Service Drive, Winona, at noon. www.hofffuneral.com.
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