Loretta A. (McKinney) Decker

Lorretta A. Decker 81, of Kearney (formerly of Dannebrog & Aurora) passed away with her loving family by her side at the Central Nebraska Veteran’s Home in Kearney on Wednesday, July 22, 2020.

A memorial service will be held Monday, July 27, 2020 at the Third City Christian Church of Grand Island at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be Pastor Scott Jones.  Inurnment will follow at the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Dannebrog.  The family respectfully requests the wearing of facial masks and the practicing of social distancing.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Alzheimer’s Association.  

Loretta was born in Port Jervis, New York on April 5, 1939 to John & Catherine (Hanks) McKinney. Loretta graduated from Grand Island Senior High, after which she met E. Eugene Hartman in Twin Falls, Idaho.  They were married in San Antonio, Texas, on August 15, 1957, where Gene was stationed in the Army until his honorable discharge.  The couple returned to Nebraska, where they became the loving parents of six children.    

Loretta started several businesses during her lifetime, including an in-home daycare, a greeting card partnership, Avon sales, and Country Charm Gifts.  Together, Loretta and Gene also owned The Orange Bowl Café in Fullerton and the Dan Dee Drive Inn in Dannebrog, which they ran from 1989 - 1997. After 42 years of marriage, Gene died on August 5, 1999. 

Loretta married Glen Decker, Jr. on January 28, 2001, at a private home in Central City.  They lived in Aurora and Henderson before moving to the Central Nebraska Veterans home in Grand Island, relocating to Kearney in 2019.  Glen and Loretta enjoyed their nineteen years together traveling, enjoying family time, and caring deeply for each other with love and compassion. 

A woman of faith, Loretta showed Christ’s love in her caring for others.  She enjoyed writing, painting ceramics, gardening, cooking, dogs, and spending time with family.  She sang throughout her life and especially enjoyed performing in Dannebrog’s Danish Hearts quartet.   

Loretta’s memory is cherished by many, including her husband, Glen Decker, Jr. of Kearney; five children, their spouses, and grandchildren, Kenneth & Dee Hartman of Overland Park, KS (Tanner, Connor, and Haley), Linda & Dan Bornmann of Central City, NE (Lois, Caleb, and Wendy), Twyla & John Andrus of Yankton, SD (Ciara, Bryson, and Rylee), Lois & James Wies of Lincoln, NE (Marcella and Anne), and Janice & Keith Manka of Grand Island, NE (Nathan and Kenley);  and three sisters, Diane Hollifield of Meridian, Idaho, Beth Zuehlke of Fostoria, Ohio and Peg McKinney of Fostoria, Ohio. 

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gene; son, Johnny Hartman; and sisters, Virginia Krolikowski and Kathleen Tibbs. 

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