Joe Becker

NAPOLEON -- Joe Becker, 75, Napoleon, died June 21, 2002, in a Bismarck hospital. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, Napoleon, with the Rev. David Syverson as celebrant. Burial will be in North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 7:30 p.m. today at Dahlstrom Funeral Home, Napoleon, where a rosary service led by the St. Philip Neri Christian Mothers will be held at 2 p.m. and a prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m.

Joseph Becker, the son of Anton and Alisia (Bitz) Becker Sr., was born Oct. 19, 1926, on the family farm in rural Logan County near Burnstad. Joe grew up and attended rural school in Starkey Township near Burnstad. After receiving his education, Joe continued farming with his father near Burnstad until September 1950 when he entered the U.S. Army, where he served in Korea. After his discharge in September 1952, he returned to farm in the Burnstad area.

On Oct. 14, 1952, Joe married Frances Kuntz at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Napoleon. After their marriage, the couple began farming together near Burnstad, where they continued to live until 1979, when they moved into Napoleon. After moving to Napoleon, Joe still remained very active with his farming operation.

Joe liked to spend time with his family and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who will all greatly miss him. Joe was a member of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, past commander of the Napoleon American Legion, was a member of the Bismarck VFW Post No. 1326, served on the Township Board and City Council, was a member of the Napoleon Care Center Board and presently was gaming chairman for the American Legion in Napoleon.

Joe is survived by his wife, Frances; six children, Gerald (Barb) Becker, Jolene (Marc) Patchen, Joseph (Jackie) Becker Jr. and Jacqueline (Robert) Fettig, all of Bismarck, Thomas (Carrie) Becker, Napoleon, and Sharlene (Terry) Porter, Devils Lake; five brothers, Peter (Helen) Becker, Napoleon, and Leo (Frances) Becker, George (Tillie) Becker, Anton (Marvie) Becker and Leonard (Carol) Becker, all of Bismarck; three sisters, Helen (Anton) Schumacher and Betty (Kenny) Schumacher, both of Bismarck, and Alice (Jerry) Regner, Burnstad; one brother-in-law, Leo Ibach, Burnstad; 13 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; one great-grandson; and one step-great-grandchild.

His parents, and one sister, Ann Marie Ibach, preceded Joe in death.