Parmenton Decorah, age 76, of rural Mauston, Wisconsin walked on Saturday, November 14, 2020 at his residence.

Commitment services will be held Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the Waksikma Community Building with Samson Falcon officiating followed by burial at the Boss Thunder Decorah Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Waksikma Community Building on Tuesday beginning at 9:00 a.m. These changes are due to the COVID epidemic to help keep everyone safe.

Parr was born October 17, 1944 in Mauston, Wisconsin the son of Thomas and Jenny (Falcon) Decorah and grew up in the Juneau County area. From a young age he grasped the concept of learning and his education was never ending. Eventually this led him in the direction of politics. He had served as a page for President John F. Kennedy and was a personal secretary for former Wisconsin Governor Lee Dreyfus. Eventually he became involved in tribal politics and was a force in his homeland of the Ho-Chunk Nation in Wisconsin. A states man where he needed to be yet spared no crack of the whip when his clan got unruly! A scholar, a strategist and he had a knack at poking great fun of tribal politics. But when it was time to get to work, he got things done. He was a mover and a shaker and was whole-heartedly dedicated to his Ho-Chunk language which he was a master linguist. As age caught up to Parr as it does all of us, he assumed the robe of elite HoChunk elder, which he wore with dignity and class. In a true sense he was a world traveler, visiting many foreign countries and cities.

Parr will truly be missed. He is survived by a brother, Francis Decorah; nieces and nephews, extended family, relatives, friends and especially his grandchildren and his beloved dogs, Zorro, Sam, Sassy and Siisgaa. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lyle, Gordon, Harland and Anthony; sisters, Janet Funmaker, Loretta Patterson, Susie Bett and Barbara Clay and pets, Seebik and Bella.