Becker, Walter (1922-2008)
BECKER, LUTGEN, JOHNSON
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 4/29/2010 at 13:44:16
Walter Becker - May 9, 1922 - June 18, 2008
Walter Becker, age 86, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died Wednesday, June 18, 2008, at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake.
Walter Becker was born on May 9, 1922, to Casper and Susie (Lutgen) Becker on a farm south of Downs, Kansas. He was baptized in St. Boniface Catholic Church in Tipton, Kansas. Walter went to school in a one-room country school through the eighth grade and later attended high school in Downs.
He left Kansas to come to Storm Lake where he lived with Don and Ruth Ford on their farm, helping with the farm work and doing odd jobs until November 1942 when he was inducted into the United States Army. Walter served as a Surgical Technician Instructor at Surgical Technician School at Fitzsimmons General Hospital in Denver, Colorado. He was sent to India to become a noncommissioned officer Sergeant 3rd grade in charge of surgery. He was honorably discharged in April 1946.
Walter returned to Iowa in July of 1946. He worked for Inman Electric, Jennings Super Valu and Don Merry Contracting until November 1947. He then began doing carpenter work on his own. At first he built kitchen cabinets; then he turned his attention to homes and farm buildings. In 1952, he started doing bank work, which became his entire operation by 1956.
On May 6, 1947, Walter was united in marriage to Dorothy Faye Johnson. Three children were born to this union: Linda Kay in January 1949, Robert Walter on February 13, 1950, and Gary Raymond on June 10, 1951. Linda and Gary died in infancy. Robert and his family now live in Washington state near Seattle.
Walter and Dorothy made their home in Storm Lake until 1955 when they moved to Alta, Iowa, where Walter headquartered his business, Becker Manufacturing and Bank Design Consulting Services. His business covered six states in the mid-western United States.
In 1962, Walter earned his pilot’s license. He flew over 7,000 hours in 19 years, mostly for business purposes. He received his instrument rating and multi-engine rating. He owned six different airplanes: four single engines and two turbo-charged twin engine planes.
On June 26, 1976, Walter lost his wife, Dorothy, to cancer. He closed his business in October 1986. He sold the building in 1989 to the city of Alta. It now serves as the city’s community center.
Walter kept busy during his retirement years in his home workshop. He also did some traveling, but mostly he just enjoyed being in his home.
He served on the board of directors of Security Trust and Savings Bank in Storm Lake, was a trustee on the Buena Vista County Hospital Board, and on the hospital foundation board. He served on the board of directors of Blue Cross/Blue Shield for western Iowa and South Dakota as well as on various other Blue Cross advisory boards. Walter served on the Alta City Council, Alta Hospital board of directors, and was president of the Alta Industrial Development board. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake, American Legion, Disabled Americans, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents, Casper and Susie; his children, Linda and Gary; his wife, Dorothy; his sister, Josie; and his brother, Francis.
He is survived by his son, Robert and wife, Karen; three grandchildren: Jeffery, Jason and Justin; six great-grandchildren: Grady, Lydia, Aimee, Kendall, Henry and Garrett; his brothers, Charles, Julius and Leo; his sister, Helen; extended family and many friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Becker will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake with Father Bruce Lawler celebrating the Mass for Christian Burial. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
Friends may call from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2008, at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake where family will be present from 6:00 to 8:00. A Legion of Mary Rosary will be recited at 3:30 and a vigil service held at 7:00 p.m., both at the funeral home during visitation hours.
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