Obituary for Robert William "Bob" Becker
Robert W. Becker, 100, of Le Mars, Iowa passed away on Sunday, January 16, 2022, at Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 24, 2022, at the Presbyterian United Church of Christ in Le Mars. Rev. Janis Christensen will officiate. Burial will follow at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Monday at the church.
Robert William Becker was born on August 15, 1921, in Le Mars, Iowa, the youngest of three sons born to Herman and Augusta (Maerz) Becker. He attended school at Le Mars High School where he played football, graduating in 1939. Following graduation, Bob began working with his father at Becker Trafford Painting & Decorating.
On April 20, 1949, Bob and Betty Jane Sanow were united in marriage by Rev. Harold Becker (Bob’s brother) at Englewood, Colorado. They made Le Mars their home and remained at the same address all of their married life. Bob would later become a part owner of Becker Brothers Painting and Decorating before retiring in 1986.
Bob served as president of the St. John’s United Church of Christ (later Presbyterian United Church of Christ) in Le Mars, as an Elder and as Sunday School Superintendent. For 30 years, he served his community as a volunteer fire fighter and on Le Mars City Council. Bob was active in the Postal Playhouse Community Theater as actor and set builder for over 30 years. He loved acting and all the friends he made in the Theater. He was fond of spending a good day at the river catfishing which lasted into his 100th year.
Bob was a true artist and craftsman. Besides being an expert house painter, Bob created countless pieces of furniture, boxes, clocks and walking sticks, often intricately and whimsically carved. Bob even constructed a wood lathe out of a washing machine motor for some of his carving projects. His family will always treasure these pieces from Bob. In later years, when going to his basement workshop was too much, Bob enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, paint-by-number kits, and reading. Bob was always curious about the world around him. Most of all, Bob’s family, friends and acquaintances will remember Bob’s kind and friendly way with everyone. He delighted in his children and his grandchildren, welcomed all the in-laws, and mentored young guys coming into the trades. He always made time to visit and share stories. Bob was a true gentleman every day of his life.
Grateful to have shared his life are his four children, Tom (Leslie Hutchins) Becker of Madison, WI, Sherry (Dave) Sanow of Remsen, IA, Randy (Kolleen Queener) Becker of Walford, IA, and Barry Becker of Le Mars, IA, as well as six grandchildren, Rachel (Andrew) Becker of Madison, WI, Nathan (Missy) Sanow of Gilbert, IA, JT (Angie) Sanow of Remsen, IA, Brad (Keely) Sanow of Aledo, TX, Will (Emily) Becker of Detroit, MI and Jack Becker of Cedar Rapids, IA; six great-grandchildren, Katie, Elizabeth, Halle, Autumn, Logan and Kane.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty on December 20, 2012; a son, Brad William Becker; brothers, Rev. Harold Becker and Herman Becker.
Memorials in Bob’s name may be directed to the Le Mars Community Theater, P.O. Box 45, Le Mars, Iowa 51031.
Robert William Becker was born on August 15, 1921, in Le Mars, Iowa, the youngest of three sons born to Herman and Augusta (Maerz) Becker. He attended school at Le Mars High School where he played football, graduating in 1939. Following graduation, Bob began working with his father at Becker Trafford Painting & Decorating.
On April 20, 1949, Bob and Betty Jane Sanow were united in marriage by Rev. Harold Becker (Bob’s brother) at Englewood, Colorado. They made Le Mars their home and remained at the same address all of their married life. Bob would later become a part owner of Becker Brothers Painting and Decorating before retiring in 1986.
Bob served as president of the St. John’s United Church of Christ (later Presbyterian United Church of Christ) in Le Mars, as an Elder and as Sunday School Superintendent. For 30 years, he served his community as a volunteer fire fighter and on Le Mars City Council. Bob was active in the Postal Playhouse Community Theater as actor and set builder for over 30 years. He loved acting and all the friends he made in the Theater. He was fond of spending a good day at the river catfishing which lasted into his 100th year.
Bob was a true artist and craftsman. Besides being an expert house painter, Bob created countless pieces of furniture, boxes, clocks and walking sticks, often intricately and whimsically carved. Bob even constructed a wood lathe out of a washing machine motor for some of his carving projects. His family will always treasure these pieces from Bob. In later years, when going to his basement workshop was too much, Bob enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, paint-by-number kits, and reading. Bob was always curious about the world around him. Most of all, Bob’s family, friends and acquaintances will remember Bob’s kind and friendly way with everyone. He delighted in his children and his grandchildren, welcomed all the in-laws, and mentored young guys coming into the trades. He always made time to visit and share stories. Bob was a true gentleman every day of his life.
Grateful to have shared his life are his four children, Tom (Leslie Hutchins) Becker of Madison, WI, Sherry (Dave) Sanow of Remsen, IA, Randy (Kolleen Queener) Becker of Walford, IA, and Barry Becker of Le Mars, IA, as well as six grandchildren, Rachel (Andrew) Becker of Madison, WI, Nathan (Missy) Sanow of Gilbert, IA, JT (Angie) Sanow of Remsen, IA, Brad (Keely) Sanow of Aledo, TX, Will (Emily) Becker of Detroit, MI and Jack Becker of Cedar Rapids, IA; six great-grandchildren, Katie, Elizabeth, Halle, Autumn, Logan and Kane.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty on December 20, 2012; a son, Brad William Becker; brothers, Rev. Harold Becker and Herman Becker.
Memorials in Bob’s name may be directed to the Le Mars Community Theater, P.O. Box 45, Le Mars, Iowa 51031.