Robert L. Becker

Robert L. Becker, 71, of Sumner, died peacefully Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, due to complications from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner, with the Rev. Tracy Hinkel officiating. Burial will follow at Union Mound Cemetery in Sumner. Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, at Becker & Son Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour preceding services at the Church on Saturday. Memorials may be made in Bob's name to St. John Lutheran Church, SEMS, The Terrace at Hillcrest Living, Gundersen Palmer Hospice or a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be left at www.beckermilnesrettig.com. Robert Liewer, son of Herbert and Elizabeth (Liewer) Becker was born Nov. 10, 1951, in Cresco. He received his elementary education in Cedar Rapids, McKinley Junior High and graduated from Cedar Rapids Washington in 1969. While in high school, Bob was a talented tennis player, earning runner-up in doubles at the Iowa State Tennis Tournament. Following graduation he went to Kirkwood Community College earning his associate degree and completed his education at the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. Bob began his career in funeral service in 1973, joining his father, Herbert "Barney" at Murdoch Funeral Home in Marion. On June 18, 1977, he was united in marriage with Linda Gald at Westby-Coon Prairie Lutheran Church in Westby, Wisconsin. In 1980, he, his wife, and daughter, Leigh Ann moved to Sumner. Two more children would join the family, Erin Marie and Robert Jay. Bob's move to Sumner was due to an opportunity to work for John and Jane Milnes at Milnes Funeral Home. He often said his move to Sumner and opportunity to work for John and Jane Milnes was one of his best decisions. In 1984, he purchased the funeral home and it became Becker-Milnes. He continued to serve Sumner, Fayette, Hawkeye, and Tripoli, for nearly forty years. Bob had a strong commitment to funeral service and felt very fortunate to serve and be a part of these communities and the surrounding areas. He was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner, where he served on the Church Council and was a Deacon. Bob was an original board member at SEMS, and served on the Sumner Municipal Light Plant Board. He enjoyed golfing (especially with his Wednesday group, a group he played with for thirty-five years), the Iowa Hawkeyes, and loved going to his children and grandchildren's activities. Bob lived a life committed to his faith, funeral service and more than anything else, his family. Bob is survived by his children, their spouses and his grandchildren, Leigh Ann (Brady) Wachter of West Des Moines, and their children, Ben and Owen; Erin (Ryan) Sawyer of Waukee and their children, Winston and Rowan; and Jay (Beth) Becker of Sumner, and their children, Madilyn, Jack, Ted and J. B.; brother, Todd (Mary) Becker of Cedar Rapids; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Mary Ann McDonald of Ontario, Wis., Robin (Brian) Kenyon of Reedsburg, Wis., and Kent (Brandi) Nelson of Westby, Wis.; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Linda, who died on July 13, 2017. The family would like to thank The Terrace at Hillcrest Living, Gundersen Palmer Hospice and all of the loving friends and community members for the wonderful care their Dad received.