Wayne Becker

Wayne Marlyn Becker, 86, of Marshalltown, formerly of Blairstown, passed away at home on Thursday, November 2nd, 2023. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday morning, November 8th at 11:00 am at St. John Catholic Church, with Rev. Jacob Dunne as Celebrant. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until 10:45 AM, also at the church. Arrangements are with Phillips Funeral Home in Blairstown. Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Ceil; his daughters, Dawn (Donald) Tiedemann, Blairstown, Diane (Allen) Greenberg, Chicago, Darcey (James) Lovin, Ames, Dana (Kevin) Goodman, Haverhill; grandchildren Alec (Paige Morris) Lovin, Christian (Cassidy) Goodman, Brennan Goodman, Maxwell Tiedemann, Quinn (Kevin) Vo, Austin (Gracie Lewis) Lovin & Stuart Tiedemann; great granddaughter Ellis Lovin; brother, Donald (Virginia) Becker, Van Horne; nine sisters-in-law, seven brothers-in-law; and many special nieces & nephews. Wayne was born on April 18, 1937, on the farm near Blairstown, Iowa, the son of Herman & Lillian (Husted) Becker. He graduated from Blairstown High School in 1955. He loved playing high school sports, especially baseball. On January 14, 1958, he married Cecelia Schulte from rural Watkins, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Norway. Wayne & Ceil lived north of Blairstown from 1958-1960. They moved to the family farm & home south of Blairstown in 1960 and resided there until August of 2013. In August they moved to Marshalltown, Iowa to retire and spend time with their daughters, Darcey and Dana and their families. While living on the family farm Wayne and Ceil had a large Grade A dairy herd. In September 1967 the barn burned down. Wayne continued farming until he started his own business trucking, buying, and selling hay. His business was called The Hay Barron. He was in business from 1985-2013. Baseball was a big part of Wayne's hobbies and interests. He started the Blairstown girls' softball town team when his four daughters were in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grade. He coached his daughters and their friends. After practicing without another team to play, Wayne asked the boy's town team to play the girls and the two teams played ball together. After that year Wayne coached the Blairstown girls' softball town team and they played other neighboring softball town teams. Wayne loved watching his four daughters play high school softball with all their softball friends. Wayne also helped his daughters, and their friends play basketball. In his later years, Diane and Allen shared the game of golf with Wayne. He loved spending time on the golf course with them at Hawks Head in South Haven, MI. Locally, Wayne played golf during the summer and fall at the Tara Hills Country Club. After moving to Marshalltown, he played golf at the American Legion Post #46 Golf Course with Darcey & Dana and their families. Wayne liked playing golf every week with his special friend, Don Krueger. Wayne was always interested in music, especially learning to play his electric guitars. Johnny Cash was his favorite music artist. Wayne enjoyed going to The Blairstown Cafe. He said many stories, jokes and laughs were shared around the cafe tables with coffee and breakfast throughout the years. He also volunteered his time and ideas with the Blairstown Lions Club and the Blairstown Sauerkraut Days Committee for many years. He especially enjoyed announcing the parade and being a Grand Marshal. His heart was always for helping others and his hometown community of Blairstown. Wayne was a lifetime member of St. John Catholic Church, and he was proud to be an altar server throughout his high school years. In his later years he was an usher. He did it with a smile and with his special wave gesture as he helped people find an open church pew. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters Alberta Volz and Bonnie Kahle; one brother Michael Becker; four sisters-in-law and four brothers-in-law. Online Condolences www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com