1928-DOROTHY BECKER-2019
Dorothy A. Becker was born on March 6, 1928 in Fulda, Minnesota to the late Conrad and Elizabeth (Biren) Schwab. Dorothy was baptized and confirmed at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Fulda. She received her early education at St. Gabriel’s Catholic School and graduated from Fulda High School in the Class of 1946. Dorothy then furthered her education at Mankato Business College. After finishing school, Dorothy worked for Standard Oil in Mankato and Los Angeles, California.
On February 10, 1953, Dorothy was united in marriage to Benjamin H. Becker at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church. This marriage was blessed with five children, Jane, Dana, Steven, Sandra and James.
After marriage, Dorothy and Ben worked side by side with Ben’s brother, Richard, to operate the family farm – which included grain, beef and pork production. Dorothy was the secretary/bookkeeper for the farming operation. Dorothy supported and encouraged their children’s participation in various activities and was always there for her family whenever needed. She assisted and supported her daughters as church organists at Sacred Heart for many years and later, her husband Ben, when he played his keyboard at various nursing home events.
In 1987, they retired and continued to live on the farm until 2001 when they moved into Windom. Ben passed away on October 22, 2014. After his death, Dorothy continued to live in Windom until moving to the Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Fulda two years ago. Recently, Dorothy was hospitalized at the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where she passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 30, 2019, at the age of 91 years.
Dorothy lived a faith-filled life which was reflected in all that she did. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Heron Lake while living on the farm, where she was a member of the CCW, the Art and Environment Committee and sang in the choir. She was a Leader for the Southbrook Jolly Workers 4-H club and a member of the Southbrook Township Extension Group and Home Council. After moving to Windom, Dorothy became a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Windom where she was part of the quilting group. Dorothy was an RSVP Volunteer at Winfair Elementary School and volunteered at Windom Senior Dining. Dorothy had many other enjoyments in life which included extensive travel, golfing, dancing, gardening and especially spending time with her family, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Dorothy is survived by five children, Jane Becker (partner – Terry) of Chanhassen; Dana (Gary) Hogan of Fulda; Steven (Rhonda) Becker of Heron Lake; Sandra (Jeff) Lund of Windom; James (Sonya) Becker of Dundee; nine grandchildren, Jessica Hogan, Amanda (Duncan) Bowring; Adam (Darcy) Becker and their son, Finneas; Angela (Scott) Swenson and their children, Ava and Theodore; Lieutenant Jared Heger – US Navy; Ethan, Eli, Marissa and Jonah Becker; two sisters, Veronica Touhey of Herman; Agnes Becker of Round Lake; one sister-in-law, Helen Becker of Heron Lake and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ben; siblings, Irene, Bernard, Mary, Joseph, Cecelia and Ann.
Blessed be the memory of Dorothy A. Becker.
Celebration of Life was held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Windom, MN on Saturday, July 6, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. with Father Pratap officiating. Casketbearers were: Jessica Hogan, Amanda Bowring, Adam Becker, Angela Swenson, Jared Heger, Ethan Becker, Eli Becker, Marissa Becker, and Jonah Becker. Burial at Sacred Heart Cemetery ~ Heron Lake, Minnesota.
