Ferris “Chip” Leland Decker, 85, of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at Prairie Manor Care Center in Blooming Prairie.

Chip was born on July 23, 1933, at home in Waltham, Minnesota, to Alex and Irene (Dahle) Decker. He was baptized at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in rural Waltham. Chip’s father passed away when he was 14, and he and his brother took over the farm at that time. Chip graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1953.

Following high school, he enlisted into the United States Army in February 1955, serving his country until his honorable discharge in February 1957.

On March 17, 1958, Chip married Patricia “Pat” Kading at the home of the Rev. Weeks in Hayfield, Minnesota. Together they raised five children: Mitchell, Mark, Todd, Diane and Allison. Chip was a dairy and crop farmer and was also a licensed and bonded livestock dealer. He raised his family on the same farm he grew up on. Chip was a loving husband and a very good father who was a hard worker and loved his family dearly.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia Decker of Blooming Prairie; children, Mitchell (Julie) Klempf of Dodge Center, Minnesota, Mark Decker of Waltham, Todd (Tiffany) Decker of Waltham, Diane (Dan) Bergstrom of Austin, Minnesota, and Allison (Ben) Bergstrom of Dexter, Minnesota; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, with one on the way; siblings, Janice Hartzell of San Antonio, Texas, Jille Peterson of Austin, Bob (Judy) Beck of Shakopee, Minnesota, Sandra (Joe) Ketelboeter of Shakopee and Jennelle (Denny) Betz of Farmington, Minnesota; and sisters-in-law, Isabelle Decker of Brownsville, Texas, and Sally Beck of Shakopee. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alex and Irene Decker; stepmom, Alice Schultz; siblings, Alex Decker, Barbara Decker, Marlys Decker, Mary (Ray) Greene, Gary Beck and Karen Stoen; and brothers-in-law, Donald Hertzell and Harold Peterson.

A private family service will be held at Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home Chapel in Blooming Prairie. Interment will be in Waltham Cemetery in rural Waltham with military honors by the Blooming Prairie Honor Guard. Worlein Funeral Home of Blooming Prairie is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.