Norma Becker

Norma Gertrude Becker, age 96, the daughter of Homer Lowell and Pearle Veva (Bramon) Foland, was born December 12, 1927, in the farm home in Decatur County, Iowa near Grand River. She died December 26, 2023, at Westview Acres Care Center in Leon, Iowa.

Norma grew up in the Grand River area and started school at Foland Country School until going to the School for the Deaf in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She completed her final two years at Leon High School, graduating with the Class of 1949.

In November of 1951, she was united in marriage to Grant Lorimer Becker at Boone, Iowa. They were blessed with four children, Sharon, Sheryl, Stanton, and Steven. The family was the fourth generation on the farm north of Grand River, Iowa. Norma worked alongside Grant milking, baling hay, and driving trucks to haul livestock to market. She sewed clothes for herself and her children. Norma enjoyed cross-stitching and created intricate and detailed pictures for family and friends. She enjoyed baking and working in her garden. She loved her pets; over the years she had dogs, cats, ducks, and a donkey. Her kitty, Suzi, was her faithful companion.

In the early 1970’s she started working at Jimmy Dean in Osceola, Iowa. After over 20 years of service, she retired in 1992. After retirement Norma and Grant enjoyed traveling. Highlights included Alaska and visiting battlefields in the South. They also enjoyed attending country music concerts. After Grant passed away in 2008, Norma moved to Crown Colony in Lamoni, Iowa.

She will be remembered as a little lady who loved unconditionally and with her whole heart. She loved cardinals, dogs, cats, Gunsmoke, sweets, babies, a parade, ice-cream, Maid Rite sandwiches, her family, riding in the car, Gospel music, and reading her Bible. She loved Sundays when friends Kevin and Anne would come to Crown Colony to play church music. Her hazel eyes sparkled when she saw you and she was deceptively wise. She was observant, clever, and fiercely protective of her loved ones when she needed to be.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Grant; daughter, Sharon Becker in 2019; and her longtime friend, Helen Gilliland. Survivors include her children, Sheryl Harrison of Lamoni, Iowa, Stan and Sue Becker of Grand River, Iowa, and Steven and Pat Becker of Shreveport, Louisiana; seven grandchildren, Ken & Lauren Harrison of Murray, Iowa, Kyle & Melody Harrison of Woodstock, Georgia, Sara Thome & Joe Foster of Rotonda, Florida, Tisha French of Kansas City, Missouri, Kandi & Michael Sandbulte of Hardwick, Minnesota, Jon & Helena Becker of Grand River, Iowa, and Joshua Becker of Dallas, Texas; 12 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Joan Cartwright and Joyce Becker, both of Boone, Iowa; cousins Larry and Gary Rose; her kitty, Suzi; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at the Leon Bible Church in Leon, Iowa at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 3, 2024, with Pastor Mark DeFord and Brother Jim Fisher officiating. Burial will follow in the Grand River Cemetery, Grand River, Iowa with Brother Gary Majavec officiating the committal. Arrangements were through the Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa.