Paul Dekker

Paul Dekker age 87 of Maurice, Iowa died Sunday, July 28, 2024 at Sanford Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. 

 Visitation will be held from 5PM to 7PM on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at Maurice Reformed Church in Maurice. 

 A funeral service will be held at 10:30AM Thursday, August 1, 2024 at Maurice Reformed Church with Rev. Jeremy Van Genderen and Rev. Wick Hubers officiating. Interment will follow the service in Sherman Township Cemetery near Maurice, Iowa. 

 In honor of Paul’s Birthday today, the family prefers that all memorials be donated to either the Midwest Honor Flight or Maurice Reformed Church Children’s Ministry program.

Paul Dekker Funeral Service

Paul James Dekker was born on August 1, 1936, in LeMars, Iowa to Albert & Alyda Dekker. He passed away on July 28 at Sanford Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD after a short illness. He was raised on a farm near Maurice and attended the Maurice Public School. 

He was married to Joan Broek on June 9, 1961, at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center. Together, Paul and Jo built their life in the Maurice area. For the first 5 years of their marriage, Paul worked for the Maurice Truck Service. He then became the owner of Dekker Grinding. In 1970, they were given the opportunity to begin what became his true passion, farming. After retiring from farming in 2006, he went on to work as a trucker, a welder and a mechanic. Paul was never one to have idle hands and continued to spend countless hours in his shop working year round on various projects. His unique way of viewing the world around him and his creativity were spot on. A true problem solver, if you came to Paul with an idea, he gave you a plan and then, he helped to make that plan a reality. 

Paul lived his life in Thanksgiving to God for the gift of salvation and cherished the many blessings he received. Paul enjoyed giving back to others in many ways but especially through various mission work projects. Faith, family and friends were the things that were most important to him. In his free time, Paul loved to hunt, fish and spend time at the lake with his family. He was an active Grandpa who took great pride in showing his love; whether he was playing a prank or attending a special event, he always made those he cared about feel special. Paul loved his country and served in the Army. As a Veteran, a highlight of his was participating in the Midwest Honor Flight. 

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Jo, who he fondly referred to as “Toots” and their two children, Brian (Chris) Dekker of Sioux City, IA and Sherri (Mike) Boone of Spirit Lake, IA. He also leaves behind his grandchildren: Ashaley, Jessica, Brittany, Rick, Casey, Cody and Amber as well as 8 great grandchildren with the 9th on the way. He is also survived by his brother, Dennis (Elaine) Dekker of Sioux Center, IA; sister Lila Kosters of Orange City, IA; sister-in-law Delores Dekker of Sheldon, IA and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Earle and son-in-law, Tim Altena.