Becker, Herman R. 1891-1946

BECKER, MAERTZ

Posted By: Mary Holub Burroughs, volunteer (email)
Date: 6/3/2023 at 11:35:06

From: Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, May 3, 1946

Herman Becker Died Tuesday of Heart Attack

Was Prominent In Civic Affairs And Business Circles

Herman R. Becker, Sr., well known Le Mars city official and business man, died at 5:30 o’clock Tuesday morning in a Spirit Lake hospital where he was taken Sunday afternoon after suffering a heart attack while out fishing with his sons, Robert ad Herman, Jr. As they were returning to shore about 1:30 p.m. Mr. Becker was stricken with a heart attack and fell out of the boat into the water. He was rushed to the hospital where he remained unconscious until he passed away early Tuesday morning.

Herman Richard Becker was born December 20, 1891, in Naumberg, Germany, and came to America when nine years of age. After living in Nebraska for short time they came to Le Mars, where he had since made his home.

On November 24, 1910, Mr. Becker was married to Augusta Maertz, who survives him with three sons born to this marriage; Harold of Kansas City, Kansas, and Herman, Jr., and Robert, of Le Mars. Harold is a minister of the Evangelical church in Kansas City, Kansas, and Herman Jr. and Robert were engaged in work with their father, in the interior decorating and painting business, in association with Frank Trafford. Mr. Becker is also survived by a sister, Mrs. Martha Stevens of Le Mars, and five grandchildren. His father died in 1912, his mother in 1918.

Mr. Becker always took an active interest in civic affairs, had served Le Mars as mayor, was a member of the city council for 16 years and chief of the fire department for 20 years. He was a member of St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed church and the Eagles fraternity.

Funeral services will be held at the Mauer Funeral Home at 1:30 p.m. (an unreadable line of text) Evangelical and Reformed church at 2 p.m. Rev. Elmer Broetzmann, the pastor, will officiate and music will be furnished by Mrs. Will Grahlm, organist; Mrs. Fred Utech, Miss Lena Gross and Donald Wilde. Burial will be in the city cemetery