Douglas J. Decker

Douglas J. Decker, age 78, of Fond du Lac (Byron), passed away unexpectedly on May 3, 2025, in the arms of his loving wife at their home. Doug was born on March 28, 1947, son of Keith and Garnet (Moon) Decker in a snowstorm in Wild Rose. He was a 1965 graduate of Wautoma High School and a 1967 graduate of Wisconsin Rapids Technical School Auto Mechanics Program (Mid-State Technical College). He was united in marriage to Cynthia Arentzen on August 15, 1970, at Church of Our Saviour, Fond du Lac. He met Cindy at Carl’s Grill in Oshkosh while he owned/operated Doug’s Standard Station and she was attending UW-Oshkosh. After marrying, they moved to Fond du Lac where he was an auto mechanic at Deising Pontiac, then a journeyman machinist at the Chicago/Northwest Railroad, and retired as a garage mechanic at Alliant Energy after 27 years. In the 1970s, he built and raced his 1939 Dodge Coup drag car. Doug was very mechanically gifted and liked to keep busy. He enjoyed riding horses and horse camping throughout the Midwest with Cindy and friends, traveling together to many countries, working on their Byron farm, and spending time with his family, especially his grandsons. He was an active member of Church of Our Saviour and of Northern Kettle Moraine Horse Trail Association, and a past 4-H Byron Badgers project leader. Doug was proud to be a multi-gallon blood donor. He will also help others as a registered tissue donor. He felt his loving daughters were his greatest accomplishment. Doug was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was very much loved and will be missed by all who knew this sweet man. He is survived by his wife, Cindy; daughters Heddy (Glen) Pahnke of Fond du Lac and Katie (Shivaraj) Bhandare of Verona. He is further survived by his grandsons Hayden and Layton Pahnke, Siddharth and Sameer Bhandare; sister, Daphne Decker; brother, David Decker; sister-in-law, Joan (John) Brown; brothers-in-law, William (Tuyet) Arentzen and Charles Arentzen; and nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his AFS Exchange daughter Catalina Espinosa-Saenz, Cati’s daughter, Ana Julia, and grandson, Nikola, of Costa Rica. He was preceded in death by his parents, Keith and Garnet Decker, his in-laws, William and Adele Arentzen, and sister-in-law, Deanna Decker. The Doug Decker family extends their heartfelt thanks to the Fond du Lac EMTs, County Sheriff's Department, and the SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital Emergency Room staff for the compassionate and professional care provided to Doug. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 15, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Church of Our Saviour, 363 S. Main, Fond du Lac, followed by Doug’s funeral service at 6 p.m. at the church with Pastor Crystal Lee officiating. Fellowship at church to follow. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers or plants, the family kindly encourages you to honor Doug’s memory through an act of service in your community, a donation to Church of Our Saviour, or a contribution to a charity of your choice.

Douglas J. Decker

March 28, 1947 - May 3, 2025