Tristan J. Decker

Tristan Jake Decker, 13, passed away Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023. Services will be 10 a.m, Saturday, Dec. 2, at the New Bridge Church in Winterset. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1 at the church. Tristan will be laid to rest in the Barney Cemetery, Lorimor. Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center of Creston, Iowa is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Tristan Decker Memorial Fund, to be established by the family.

Tristan spent his last day starting at home on the family farm with his parents and four sisters. He joined his church family at Redeemer Church in Winterset and then returned to the farm. He was preparing for an afternoon of cattle work, but first a trip to his deer camera. While he never arrived back from the field, we know the farm was exactly where he loved being. We are comforted to know his new home in Heaven is a reality far greater than anything we could offer him and his joy is complete in Christ.

Tristan was born on July 9, 2010, to Jake and Ginnie Chinouth Decker (Jesse and Virginia), He was the third child born of five. “The Decker 7″ became his family farm name. With two older sisters and two younger sisters, Tristan was a very mature young man helping his father. He was a kind, caring and generous soul. He was a caretaker to his mother and a friend to his father. He deeply loved each one of his sisters and was known for bragging about them quite often. Tristan and his sisters spent countless hours together playing, schooling and working together at home.

His mother and father and those close by, admired their closeness. He and Jorja enjoyed their adventures both in and outside of the house. They considered each other the best of friends. The five of them will always remain an inseparable team. And The Decker 7 will continue through the memories they have made.

Tristan’s passion was hunting. While whitetails are plentiful on the family farm, he had an adventurous side which drove him out west with his father. For several years he has hunted elk and mule deer. Just this fall, Tristan enjoyed a trip to Wyoming with his father, grandfather, uncle and a family friend. A few weeks later, he spent a week in Colorado hunting elk with his father, uncles, cousin and grandfather. These were trips he treasured and spent countless hours preparing for and sharing stories about the adventures.

He also enjoyed the time spent with his mother and sisters in the family horse operation. Tristan was a very talented rider and recently devoted his time to a horse named “Mystery,” who he planned to use as his mounted shooting horse this spring. He worked hard to help make sure things were well cared for in the barn and in the arena. He enjoyed helping others on their farms as well and was always a sure “yes,” if someone needed an extra farmhand. His relationships with all his cousins were tight and they enjoyed many days of play.

A brilliant young mind full of adventure, Tristan enjoyed studying history and science. He was always inventing a new creation to pester his sisters or a new tool to make chore time more exciting. His heart for the Lord spilled over into his desire to help people and his contagious smile brought joy to his family and so many others. Tristan had a church family who counted on his smile and newest hairstyle to brighten up a room.

Tristan was preceded in death by his grandmother, Suzi Meadows; cousin, William Vestal and countless great-grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins

He is survived by his parents, Jake and Ginnie; sisters: Rachael (16), Taylor (14), Jorja (11) and Morgan (9); grandparents, Jim and Karen Decker and Mickey and Susan Chinouth; uncle, Jason and aunt, Alyson and their children: Justin, Caleb, Sophia and Michael. uncle, Jarad Decker and aunt Megan with children: Colton, Quinton, Payton and Jaxton; uncle John and aunt JJ Vestal and children, Lindsey, Van and Ryan; aunt, Sara McCarter and her daughter, Hannah; uncle, Whittaker Musick; the brother in Christ he always wanted and he adored, Jake Travis; great-grandmother, Deloma Shell; great-aunts (like grandmothers): Kyleen Kelly and Denise Chinouth.

Tristan has a multitude of great-grandparents, great-aunts, great-uncles, cousins and friends whom he enjoyed immensely. Tristan is blessed with several honorary church uncles and aunts: Brett and Rachael, Jaysson and Leah, Angie and Todd, Jim and Heather, Matt and Abby, CJ and Misty and all their children.

Tristan also had an amazing barn family. The Decker 7 Barn Family: “barn-grandparents,” the Wayne and Michelle Hanson family and barn family, The Travis Family and Farm and the Ossian Family.

Tristan continues to help others through his gift of organ and tissue donation.