Funeral services for Ronnie G. Deckard, 77, of New Richland, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Hartland Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hartland.  The Rev. Shawn Stafford will officiate. Burial will be at the Hartland Cemetery with military honors accorded by area VFW and American Legion. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the services at the church.  Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.Ronnie died on Monday, July 1, 2013, at the Regency Hospital in Golden Valley.

Ronnie Gale Deckard was born on April 4, 1936, in Glenville, the son of Frank and Eleanor (Christenson) Deckard. Ronnie attended and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1955 and then served his country in the U.S. Marines from 1955 until 1959. On June 15, 1957, he was united in marriage to Jane Gulbrandson at the Hartland Evangelical Lutheran Church. The couple were dairy farmers in Freeborn County from 1959 until 1962. Ronnie then re-enlisted in the U.S. Army serving from 1962 until 1979. Ronnie furthered his education first at the University of Maryland receiving a bachelor of arts in history, then Mankato State University receiving a master of science in law enforcement. He also attended Normandale Community College, Bethany Lutheran College, University of Minnesota St. Paul campus and Riverland Community College. Ronnie had several community-minded professions including, deputy sheriff of Freeborn County, a salmon boat captain, held a commercial pilot’s license, law enforcement instructor, private investigator, self-employed agricultural products salesman, management position at Viracon and most recently retired from the New Richland Police Department on April 20, 2013. Personal interests include hunting, fishing and trapshooting.  Ronnie was a member of the New Richland American Legion, a life member of the NRA, a life member of the Owatonna Gun Club and also the Hartland Evangelical Lutheran Church where he served on the Board of Elders.

Survivors include his wife, Jane Deckard; children, Ronnie (Debbie) Deckard of Houlton, Wis., Carrie (Gary) Hoshaw of Circle Pines, Paul (Barbara) Deckard of Reedsburg, Wis., and Susan (Troy) Eggum of Zagreb, Croatia; grandchildren, Daniel (Mallory) Deckard, Jennifer Deckard, Casey (Tim) Harting, Cory Hoshaw, Kalley Hoshaw, Amanda Deckard, Megon (Andy) Majerus, Elizabeth Mulcahey and Randi Eggum; nine great-grandchildren; sisters, Marjorie Brackey, Sharon (Luther) Kalb and Jane (Dale) Christopherson; and many nieces and nephews.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Darmen in infancy, grandson, Michael Deckard; and brother-in-law, Parnell Brackey.