Ethel Deckert, 92, passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, after a short illness. She was born on July 13, 1929, in Marion, SD to William and Katie Schroeder. She graduated from Marion HS in 1947. She attended and graduated from Northern State Teachers' College, Aberdeen, SD in 1949. She married her high school sweetheart, Abner Deckert, in 1951. They lived in Marion and Mitchell, SD before making Rapid City their home in 1965. To this union five children were born: Cathy, Cindy, Charles, Cheryl, and Tim. She had many vocations throughout her lifetime. Ethel worked as a Bell telephone operator and rural schoolteacher until she married and started raising her family. She worked from home as a drapery seamstress. Later she was a cook for Meadowbrook Manor and RC Regional Hospital. Together with Ab she was able to travel to many destinations and countries. They enjoyed spending winters in Arizona. She continued to travel with friends and family after his death in 1999.

Ethel enjoyed many activities. She especially loved fishing and camping. She was a lifetime member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and was active in many women's circles and bible studies. She was a member of Cosmopolitan Pals, RV club, Christian Women's Club, and Red Hats. She loved bowling, card clubs, Bunco, crafts, and jigsaw puzzles. She was actively involved at the Canyon Lake Activity Center where she enjoyed exercise classes, cards, dominoes and fellowship with many great friends. Christmases were always special because of her famous sugar cookies and divinity. She was a great cook and hosted many delicious meals. Her family will miss her potato salad! She was an expert cake-baker and her creations were part of many weddings and special occasions. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the joy of her life and she enjoyed many of their activities.

Ethel is survived by her children: Cathy (Henry, Jr.) Knapp, Black Hawk; Cindy (Dave) Buchholtz, Aurora, SD; Cheryl (Mark) Brodrick, Rapid City; and Tim (Ann) Deckert, Rapid City; brother Bert Schroeder, Sioux Falls; Sister-in-law Shirleen DeHoogh, Stillwater, OK; seven grandchildren: Amber (Travis) Frank, Andrea (John) Forslund, Dustin (Stacia) Buchholtz, Adam (Stephani) Buchholtz, Dan (Jennifer) Buchholtz, Abby (Tyson) Karn, Jillian (Logan) Uhrig, 17 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, an infant son, Charles, granddaughter, Tony, brother Marvin Schroeder and sister Rosella Breaw.

Visitation will be from 3:00-5:00 PM on Sunday, June 26 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

Her funeral service will be at 11 am on Monday, June 27, at Westminster Church.  Her service will be livestreamed at: https://youtu.be/JI36VsM2cOc

Lunch will immediately follow the service.

Burial will be in Mt. View Cemetery at 1:15 pm.

Memorials may be directed to Canyon Lake Activity Center.