Don Deckert – UPDATED

Memorial services with family and friends for 83-year old Walter Don Deckert of Porcupine, SD, will be held Sat, Sept 2, 2023 at 2:00 at the family cemetery, 287 County Rd 6 in Porcupine.

Don didn’t want a big funeral, just a simple deal at the family cemetery he built on the hill above the ranch so he could be buried beside Patricia, his partner of 59 years. 

Don said before he passed to not mourn for him as he is with Pat now.

Online condolences may be left at chamberlainchapel.com

Walter Don Deckert was born in Rushville, NE, on July 10, 1940, to William and Josie Deckert. He died July 31, 2023, and his wishes to be cremated and buried beside Patricia were followed.

Don lived all his life on the ranch his Dad established in the early 1930’s. Don and Pat were married in February of 1961, bought the home place. and continued to ranch.  

The union of Don and Pat resulted in 4 kids showing up – Curtis, Laura, Bob, and Sis – and they were eventually followed by a bunch of grandkids.

Don was a life member of many organizations, including the NRA, NBRSA, IBS, NTA, and the Nebraska Longhorn Association.

Don and Pat also owned and operated the Prairie Dog Target Club, which started in 1978 and it is still going strong today. 

On July 10, 2020, a tornado destroyed most of the loading area, bench covers, and half of the restroom building, but with the help of Bill Pond, Mel Klasi and other club members they got it all put back together in time for the memorial match for Pat on Sept 5.

Don loved to hunt and trap with his best friend Vereen Forster; they must have shot a million prairie dogs. He collected traps, old Winchester rifles, and Colt pistols. 

Don had other great friends including Bill Pond, Tom Beck, Charlie Shellaberger, Tack Tackenberg, Tim Stamm and Tom Utter (deceased). Thank you guys, for the friendship, especially you Tom.

Don was preceded in death by his loving wife Pat, his father William, mother Josie, brothers Lloyd and Fritz, sister Lilly, nephews Virgil and Butch, Uncle Max, his in-laws Joe and Mildred Leavitt, his niece’s son Robby and daughter-in-law Melissa.

Left behind are his children Curtis and family, Laura and family, Sis and family, Bob and Max, nephew Mike, sister Norma, other family, and everybody else we haven’t mentioned.

Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home in Gordon is in charge of Don Deckert.