Craig Becker

NEW SALEM - Craig Becker, 51, New Salem, died Jan. 18, 2010, at his home, surrounded by family and friends, following a courageous battle with cancer. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 22, at Peace Church, New Salem, with the Rev. Joshua Eddy officiating. Military honors with be provided by the New Salem American Legion Post. Burial will be held in the spring in Bethel Cemetery, south of New Salem.

The family will be receiving friends from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday in the atrium of the church. Cremation has taken place.

Craig was born Jan. 23, 1958, the son of Donald and Dorothy (Kaelberer) Becker and raised on Dorothy's family farm. He was a graduate of New Salem High School. Craig was a member of the North Dakota National Guard from 1976 to 1982. He married Kristi Bumann on April 17, 1986, and they raised their four children together on the family farm. Craig was a person who enjoyed the farm life and living in the country, his favorite time of the year being the lambing season and any other time that he was able to utilize the name John Deere. The family was grateful to have him home so he could experience this one more time.

In 1979, he began Becker Construction where he proudly employed his children and numerous high school kids throughout the years, always giving them more than he bid. He was very proud to be a "papa" to grandson, Carter, and enjoyed watching him grow to be a very busy toddler.

Left behind mourning his death are his wife, Kristi; his daughters, Alisha and Deanna; his sons, Brandon (Angela Klemisch, fiancee) and Charles; his grandson, Carter Craig Becker; and his mother, Dorothy Kaelberer, all of New Salem. Also surviving are his sisters, Leslie (Melvin) Lennick, Center, and Cheryl (Steve) Strinden, Fargo; his father-in-law, Alvin Bumann, New Salem; Kristi's brothers and their spouses, Craig (Donna) Bumann, Sioux Falls, S.D., and Kelly (Carol Rose) Bumann, Bismarck; Kristi's sisters and their spouses, Cathy (Ronnie) Jahner, Kerri (David) Schenkel and Carol (Chris) Pittman, all of Bismarck; his nephews, Shane (Annie) Lennick, Kurt Lennick, Derek Lennick (Godchild), Michael Strinden, Patrick Bumann, Joseph Jahner, Daniel Schenkel and Collin Pittman; his nieces, Marie Strinden (Godchild), Shannon (Ryan) Cinker, Christina Jahner (Godchild), Taylor Schenkel and Caitlin Pittman; his great-niece, Zadee Cinker; and his great-nephew, Gage Lennick.

Preceding Craig in death are his father, Donald Becker; his mother-in-law, Muriel (Skjolsvik) Bumann; and his grandparents. (Buehler-Larson Funeral Home, Mandan)