Vern Sager Obituary

Vern Sager, “The Last Cowboy”April 5, 1937 – July 12, 2025Porcupine, SD – With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Vern Sager, lovingly known as “The Last Cowboy,” who left this world peacefully on July 12, 2025, in Gordon, Nebraska. He was 88 years old.Born April 5, 1937, Vern was the oldest of eight children to Clifford and Sibyl (Fulton) Sager. From the beginning, he carried a quiet strength and steady heart — traits that would shape his life as a protector, provider, and humble hero to all who knew him.Vern served in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1960, returning home to South Dakota with a deep sense of purpose and pride. During his time in the service, he formed a lifelong bond with his Army buddy, Dwayne Seeger — a true friend and brother in arms. Though Dwayne passed away just weeks earlier on June 25, 2025, there is comfort in knowing they are now reunited.On August 2, 1963, Vern married the love of his life, Carol (Majeski) Deckert. When Vern said “I do,” he also welcomed her children — Mike, Tina, and William — into his heart as his own. Their family grew with the birth of Mark in 1965 and Leslie in 1973. Together, Vern and Carol built a life grounded in love, patience, and enduring strength. Carol remained his partner and best friend until her passing — a loss Vern carried with him every day.Vern's son Mark Sager, who preceded him in death, was an incredible bronc rider and gifted horseman — a true reflection of his father's grit, talent, and deep connection with animals. Mark carried on Vern’s cowboy legacy with courage and grace, and his memory remains a proud part of the Sager family story.He gave his time freely to others, serving with quiet honor on the Batesland Volunteer Fire Department. Whether it was fighting flames or showing up for his neighbors, Vern never hesitated to step in when he was needed.Vern was the hardest working man you would ever meet. He rose early, worked until the job was done, and still found time to laugh, teach, and care for his family. He loved the simple things — a good cribbage game, dancing to a favorite tune, reading something new, casting a line into still waters, and learning something every day. He believed in doing things right, in working with your hands, and in living with purpose.His remarkable life and spirit were honored in the award-winning documentary The Last Cowboy, filmed by longtime friend Jon Alpert, who captured Vern’s story with deep care and honesty. Jon, an honorary pallbearer, not only preserved Vern’s voice for generations to come, but stood by him as a true friend — and remains a part of the family’s heart.Vern was preceded in death by his parents Clifford and Sibyl; his siblings Leroy, Wilber, Frances, Ruth, Shirley, and Eleanor (Lee) Gibson; his beloved wife Carol; his son Mark; his dear friend Dwayne Seeger; and many other treasured family and friends.Left to carry on his memory are his sister Arlene (Ron) Freeseman of Sioux Falls, SD; his children Michael Deckert of Porcupine, SD; William Deckert of Eastern Nebraska; Tina (Doug) Dutenhoeffer of Huron, SD; and Leslie (Wayne) Reeves of Rushville, NE. He is also survived by three bonus children who held a special place in his heart: Elizabeth (Jeff) Wormuth, Devona Lone Wolf, and Jim Holeman of York, NE.He also leaves behind his grandchildren Jeremy Glassgow, Misti Beed, William (Karen) Deckert, Marty Deckert, Dillon (Lily) Holeman, Damian (Careen) Holeman, and many more beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.Pallbearers: William Deckert, Marty Deckert, Dillon Holeman, Damian Holeman, Dusty Hand, Trey HandHonorary Pallbearers: Jon Alpert, the Seeger family, Fred Wellnitz, Ronnie Denton, Mike Gilbert, and many more friends and family whose lives Vern touched.A public viewing will be held on Friday, July 25, 2025, from 5:00–7:00 PM at Chamberlain Mortuary in Gordon, Nebraska.Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Extension Church in White Clay.Burial will follow the service, and lunch will be served.A memorial has been established in Vern’s honor with the Batesland Volunteer Fire Department.Though our hearts are broken, we are grateful beyond words to have shared in the life of a man like Vern. He was more than a cowboy — he was a father, a brother, a friend, a teacher, a neighbor. The kind of man who only comes around once in a lifetime.His beloved Carol — an amazing, beautiful woman with a huge heart — has surely been waiting patiently for him to get off the ranch and make his way to heaven. She loved Vern deeply, cared for everyone in her life, and now, after years apart, is no doubt smiling with joy to have him home again by her side.And now, somewhere just beyond the horizon, his faithful horse Crow — who has waited patiently all this time — is carrying Vern gently home, hoofbeats echoing across the sky.He was truly, deeply loved. And he will always be missed by those who cherished him, respected him, and never took advantage of the goodness he so freely gave.There will never be another quite like him. He truly was, and always will be, The Last Cowboy.