Bert Decker

Albert David Decker, 86

“Bert” passed away suddenly on September 7, 2018 following complications from surgery. 

Born January 25, 1932 IN Mankato, Minnesota, to George and Ruth Decker, he was the eldest of five.

Bert played basketball for Sandpoint High School, where he graduated in 1951.  He served in the U.S. Army 1953-1955, then the Army Reserves until 1963.  While working for St. Regis Lumber Company in Libby, Montana he met Betty Ann Haines, the love of his life. They married November 11, 1965, moving back to Sandpoint in 1966.  He drove garbage truck locally until his retirement in 1997.

Bert was a gentle man who loved animals. In earlier years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing; later, dabbling in gold panning.  Throughout his life, he’d been an avid sports fan, who often saw calls differently than the announcers and frequently told them so… As if they could hear him through the T.V.

Bert is survived by his doting wife Betty, daughter Jesse Lynn and son in law Patrick Reding of Portland Oregon.  Siblings Daniel Decker and Iris Schmidt of Spokane and numerous nieces and nephews and his best friend Phil “Shorty” Bricker.  He was preceded in death by his parents George and Ruth, brother James and infant sister Lorraine.