George Becker

George J. Becker Jr., age 86, of Faribault, died peacefully on Monday, May 13, 2013 at the Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna following an extended illness.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 17, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, Faribault, with Fr. Kevin Finnegan, pastor, officiating. Private family interment will be at the St. Lawrence Cemetery in Faribault.

Visitation will be held at Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and on Friday for one hour prior to the services at the church.

George John Becker Jr., the son of George Sr. and Susan (Kotz) Becker, was born on September 8, 1926 in Bridgewater Township, Rice County, MN. George was united in marriage to Donna Kenow on May 20, 1952 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Faribault. He served in the U.S. Army from May of 1955 until his honorable discharge in November of 1956. George was a lifelong farmer and he and Donna raised their seven children on their farm in Forest Township, Rice County. They moved to Faribault in 1990. In retirement George worked at WalMart assembling most anything. George and Donna enjoyed dancing, playing cards, time at the lake, and were always together. She preceded him in death on January 22, 2009. George loved the outdoors and farming. He was an extremely hard worker on the farm, and very skilled at "tinkering" with anything. Some of his outdoors activities included: motorcycle riding, deer hunting, fishing and bird watching. He loved his card playing, casinos, and old time music. George was dedicated to his faith and family. He and Donna always put their family first, providing strength and closeness for all. George was a member of the Faribault Council 889 Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post 43, and Faribault Eagles Aerie 1460.

He is survived by his seven children, Thomas (Judy) Becker of Faribault, Dennis (Patti) Becker of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Nancy (Tom) Hughes of Spokane, Wash., Paul (Kelly) Becker of Morristown, Gloria (Dave) Brown of Faribault, Rosanne Headline of Faribault, and Barb (Tom) Tousignant of Faribault; eight grandchildren; four great grandchildren; brother, Clem (Imelda) Becker of Farmington; sister, Lorraine Schema of Faribault; brother-in-law, Robert (Rita) Kenow of Faribault; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; parents; two brothers, Herbert and Donald Becker; and two sisters, Agnes Roehrick and Scholastica (Slest) Benjamin.