Julia Becker

Julia Becker

Julia Ann Becker, 90, Bismarck, formerly of Selfridge, passed away peacefully at her home on May 2, 2009. She was surrounded by her family and supported by hospice. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. CDT Thursday, May 7, at Church of Corpus Christi, Bismarck, with the Rev. Paul Becker as celebrant. Burial will be held at 2 p.m. CDT in St. Philomena Cemetery, Selfridge.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. CDT Wednesday at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a Catholic Daughters Rosary at 7 p.m. CDT followed by a parish vigil and time for memories and stories. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Julia Ann Tischmak was born Aug. 10, 1918, to Emmanuel and Margaret (Harsche) Tischmak at their home in Shields, where her eight siblings were also born. Julia attended West Country Grade School and Shields High School for a time until, out of necessity, she started working at Zwiefel Brothers Restaurant and Store. Julia was proud to complete her GED in 1970.

On Sept. 2, 1937, she was united in marriage to Joe Becker in a double marriage ceremony with her brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Lagota Tischmak, with the bishop presiding in Bismarck. Throughout their marriage, Joe's endearment for Julia, his "Honey Bee," became well known. They worked hard, side by side, in several businesses in Selfridge, including a dray line, confectionary, grocery store, bar, restaurant and garage. Julia participated in Homemaker's Club, was a Tupperware dealer, and headed up the March of Dimes against polio, earning a trip to Minneapolis.

When "the boys" grew bigger and needed more space and chores, the family moved to the farm/ranch north of Selfridge. Julia was in charge of the milk cows and all of the chores that came with them. Once those cows were sold, she took off-farm jobs serving as a cook/housekeeper at the rectory in Fort Yates, helping students as a teachers' aide at St. Bernard's School in Fort Yates, and finally as a produce manager at Lloyd's Super Valu in Fort Yates, working with her sister, Lydia Jochim. When Joe died in 1985, Julia moved to Bismarck becoming a first-time owner of her condo at Washington Court.

Julia was active at Corpus Christi Church, Guild and Catholic Daughters, daily visits to swim at the YMCA and a whole host of other activities. Julia rose early each day to say the rosary before bringing in the papers for all her condo. She never missed a crossword puzzle or her favorite show, Jeopardy. She was well known for all her cooking and baking (kuchen, jellies, fruit cake, cookies, lemon pie, pickles, soups, homemade noodles, chicken feet, pickled pigs feet) and fine generosity. Julia loved to play cards, bidding 42 in pinochle and making it, just a week before her stroke! Most of all, she relished visiting and keeping up on news, especially of her friends, family and her dear grandchildren. Her very own guardian angel, Dianne, provided her the wheels and the wherewithal for her weekly hair appointments, grocery shopping, visiting and cards this past year. Julia treasured the Tuesday Teatimes and all the stories and laughs when the lunch bunch came to see her. Her church renew group was a steady special group of friends.

Julia was the mother of five children, but provided mothering to countless others far and wide. During her lifetime she believed in hard work and doing things with gusto! At the time of her death, she modeled how to remain dignified and prepared and she welcomed the joys of eternal life.

These special memories will be cherished by her four sons, Patrick L. Becker, Selfridge, Herb (Vicki) Becker, Albuquerque, N.M., George (Dianne) Becker, Selfridge, and Ted Becker, Minneapolis; one daughter, Joyce (Mike) Hinman, Bismarck; 11 grandchildren, Monte, Jarrod and April Becker, Nanobah Becker, Bidtah (Paul) Spruhan, Patrick J. Becker (fiancee, Caitlin McDonald), Corky and Carol Becker (Vicci), Daniel Hinman, Joy (Judd) Steinback and Karen Crawley; three great-grandchildren, Azhi Crawley, Bahe Becker and Lydia Becker; three sisters, Frances Miller, Mandan, Grace Tate, Prineville, Ore., and Emily (Neil) Rosenbaum, Prineville, Ore., and Yuma, Ariz.; two brothers, Pete Tischmak, Prineville and Yuma, and Fidelis (Tillie) Tischmak, Mandan; and several nieces and nephews.

Julia was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; her parents; one brother, Mike (Lagota); two sisters, Susan (Joe) Blotsky and Lydia (Val) Jochim; and one brother-in-law, Emil Miller.

Go to www.weigelfuneral.com to sign the online guest book and view flower and tribute photos.