Dale D. Decker, former owner of Decker Truck Line Inc. and his wife of more than 70 years, Donnabelle, were always generous and active supporters of the Fort Dodge community during their lifetimes. The longtime Fort Dodge residents were so passionate about their beloved community that they left a legacy of generosity and charitable giving to the community after their deaths and well into the future through the establishment of the Dale and Donna Decker Charitable Fund II with the Fort Dodge Community Foundation.

Dale Decker passed away in February 2012, and Donna passed away in January 2015. Their son and current owner of Decker Truck Line, Don Decker, will serve as adviser for this new donor-advised endowment fund during his lifetime. As an endowed fund, the Dale and Donna Decker Charitable Fund II will provide charitable support for the Fort Dodge community for decades to come.

Both Dale and Donna (Simonson) Decker were born and raised in Fort Dodge. After graduating from Fort Dodge Senior High, they were married and made their home in Fort Dodge. Dale served as a private first class in the U.S. Marine Corps from June 1943 to December 1945. In 1945, after earning two Purple Hearts in the Marine Corps during World War II, Dale rejoined his brother Loren in the family business he founded in 1931, with a single Model B Ford truck in the midst of the Great Depression.

Dale and Donna were members of the “Greatest Generation” of Americans that persevered in the difficult times of the World War II era, which is a testament to their extraordinary character. This character was founded on the values of “personal responsibility, duty, honor and faith;” values that helped survive the Great Depression, win WWII, grow the American economy, make advances in science and build strong communities across the nation.

In 1976, Loren retired and sold his share of the company to Dale and Dale’s two sons, Don Decker and the late Duane Decker. Dale served a number of positions in the business he and his brother built from the ground up, including driver, dispatcher and chairman of the board for 54 years, while his wife Donna served as secretary/treasurer. Donna retired in 1980, and Dale retired in 1993, when their son Don acquired sole ownership of the company.

The Deckers’ love and passion for Fort Dodge was evident not only through the fact that they chose to both raise their family and keep their thriving company here in their hometown even through mass expansion and growth, but also through many ways in which they gave back to the community over the years.

Both Dale and Donna were active members of the Presbyterian Church and involved with the Marine Corps League. Additionally, Dale was active in VFW Post 1856 and American Legion throughout the years, while Donna was active in the Trinity Auxiliary and the Sixty Plus Group. She also served as a member of the YWCA Board, Trinity Regional Medical Center Foundation Board and Oleson Foundation Board.

The Deckers were also avid supporters of Iowa Central Community College, providing scholarships to students, supporting the Triton Club, attending events and being instrumental in starting the Iowa Central Community College Transportation and Truck Driving Courses. Iowa Central’s Decker Auditorium even bears their namesake thanks to their generosity and support. In addition to Iowa Central Community College, the Deckers were active supporters of Fort Dodge amateur sports.

Continuing in the tradition of his mother and father, Don Decker has established a second charitable fund with the Fort Dodge Community Foundation. This fund, called the Decker Family Charitable Fund, is a donor-advised fund that will serve as a charitable giving vehicle for the Decker Family.

Like his mother and father, Don Decker is committed to the Fort Dodge community as shown by his investment in Fort Dodge with Decker Truck Line Inc., which employs approximately 1,100 people and serves as one of Fort Dodge’s iconic companies. The Decker family, through its charitable fund, will be giving back to the Fort Dodge area by supporting important charitable organizations and community projects and causes. Don plans to grow the Decker Family Charitable Fund so he and his children can continue to provide charitable support for the long-term. The spirit of giving revealed in this charitable plan for Don and his family reflects the values instilled by his parents. Through the establishment of the Decker Family Charitable Fund at the Fort Dodge Community Foundation, the Decker legacy of charitable giving and commitment to making Fort Dodge a better place will continue well into the future.

For more information about giving back to the community through a donor-advised fund at Fort Dodge Community Foundation, visit us online at www.fd-foundation.org, or contact Randy Kuhlman at 573-3171.

Randy Kuhlman is chief executive officer of the Fort Dodge Community Foundation.