Robert “Bob” Becker

December 12, 1927 - October 31, 2008
Robert “Bob” Becker, 80, of Kalona, Iowa, died Friday, October 31, 2008, in Mercy Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa, following complications of a stroke.
A celebration of life service was held Tuesday, November 4, 2008, in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wellman, Iowa, with Father Rich Adam officiating. Burial was in the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington, Iowa. A memorial fund has been established for the Kalona First Responders. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.
Robert “Bob” Becker was born December 12, 1927, in Sigourney, Iowa, the son of Vincent and Leona (Lutz) Becker. His parents died when he was young and he was raised by George and Clara Lutz. He was a corporal in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. May 25, 1957, he was united in marriage to Mary Irene Flynn in the St. James Catholic Church in Washington. He farmed throughout his lifetime between the Wellman and Keota communities. In August 1999, Mr. and Mrs. Becker moved to Kalona. Mr. Becker was a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wellman. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion and the Farm Bureau. He enjoyed antique tractors, and in the 2004 Wellman parade, he placed first in the antique tractor division.
He is survived by his wife, Irene Becker, Kalona; three daughters, Jean Anne (Brian) Ripley, Webster City, Iowa; Julie Kay (Tom) Schnerre, East Moline, Illinois; and Debra Sue (Roger) Williams, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; a son, Douglas Robert (Lauri) Becker, Marion, Iowa; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a sister, Delores (Charles) Franzen, Washington.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother in infancy; and his adopted family, George and Clara Lutz and Jim Lutz.