White Funeral Home
1315 Main Street
Jesup, Iowa 50648

Jesup – Bernard “Bernie” Robert Becker, 84 years old, of Jesup, IA, died Tuesday, October 17, 2017, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home, Waterloo, IA, of natural causes.

He was born August 11, 1933, in rural Jesup, IA, the son of Theodore Matthias Becker and Magdalen Kathryn (Schmitz) Becker. He graduated from Immaculate Conception Catholic High School in Gilbertville, IA, with the class of 1951. He worked for a short time at Rath Packing in Waterloo, IA, before joining the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 – 1955 and was stationed in Germany. On November 21, 1955, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth “Betty” Jean Fischels at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Gilbertville. They made their home south of Jesup where Bernie farmed. During these years his children learned the importance of hard work, but also making time for family.

Bernard was a member of St. Athanasius Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council #8227, Catholic Order of Foresters Court #1099, and Pump – Scheer American Legion Post #342. He was also past board member of the Jesup Farmer’s COOP and Farmer’s Mutual Telephone Company.

Bernard is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty of Jesup, IA; 4 sons, Greg (Ann) Becker of Jesup, IA, Doug (Leslie) Becker of Jesup, IA, Kevin (Theresa) Becker of Norfolk, NE, Dave (Marsy) Becker of Independence, IA; 4 daughters, Laurie (Randy) McGee of Plano, TX, Karen (Brad) Lichty of Cedar Rapids, IA, Lisa (Paul) Halford of Winthrop, IA, and Angela (Ted) Reiter of Prior Lake, MN; 28 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; 1 brother, John (Carolyn) Becker of Jesup, IA; 3 sisters, Mary Weber of Gilbertville, IA, Theresa (Louis) Schmitz of Gilbertville, IA, Rita Becker of Gilbertville, IA; and 1 sister – in – law, Beverly Becker of Gilbertville.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers, Gerald Becker, William Becker, Paul Becker; 1 son-in-law, Michael Thome; and 1 brother-in-law, Robert Weber.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. – Saturday, October 21, 2017, at St. Athanasius Catholic Church, with Fr. Jeff Dole as celebrant. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Military Rites will be conducted by Pump-Sheer American Legion Post #342.

Visitation will be 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Friday, October 20 at White Funeral Home, Jesup, IA, where there will be a parish rosary at 4:00 p.m. and parish vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue for an hour before services at the church on Saturday.

Memorials will be directed to St. Athanasius Catholic Church, St. Athanasius Catholic School, and Cedar Valley Hospice. White Funeral Home, Jesup, IA is in charge of arrangements.