Roger Herbert Becker

Obituary

Roger Herbert Becker was born on August 17, 1939, in New Auburn Township, Sibley County, Minnesota.  He was the son of Herbert and Luella (Knick) Becker.  Roger was baptized as an infant on the family farm in 1939, and later was confirmed in his faith on March 29, 1953, by Rev. E. W. Lehne at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Penn Township, Minnesota.  Roger received his education in Glencoe, Minnesota, graduating with the Glencoe High School Class of 1958.

On May 25, 1963, Roger was united in marriage to Kathleen Elaine Olson by the justice of the peace in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Roger and Kathleen made their home in New Auburn, Minnesota.  Their marriage was blessed with five children, Wendy, Tim, Cindy, Kari and Ryan.  Roger and Kathleen shared over 53 years of marriage until Kathleen passed away on November 22, 2016.

Roger worked hard over the years, including working with his dad, Herb, on the family farm in his youth, working at Glencoe Manufacturing, Harpel Brothers, City of Glencoe when they had their own sanitation department, and he retired in 2011 from Wm. Mueller & Sons in Hamburg, Minnesota, after 21 years of service.  In the earlier years, Roger and Kathy also owned Becker’s Bar for three years in New Auburn.

Roger was very active in his 80 years, including 39 years of public service to the City of New Auburn, which included Council Member for 13 years and Mayor for 26 years.  He was also a member of the Conservation Club, Friends of High Island, and Charter member of the New Auburn Lions Club for 37 years and served on the New Auburn Fire Department and was a First Responder for 25 years.  Roger was an active member at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Auburn.

Roger enjoyed doing many things, helping others and staying busy.  In his earlier years, Roger and Kathy were on a couples bowling league for many years, he managed the New Auburn women’s fast pitch softball team and also played on the men’s fast pitch softball team.  He enjoyed doing anything outdoors including deer hunting, fishing, going to the camper, mowing the lawn, cutting/splitting wood and chopping down trees.  Roger loved having morning coffee with the locals, going to the casino, traveling to Las Vegas and Wendover and also traveling internationally to visit and spend time with family and friends.  Roger cherished the time spent with his friends and family, especially his grandchildren, whom he always told them to “stay one step ahead!”   

Roger passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at the family farm in New Auburn, Minnesota, at the age of 80 years, 8 months and 26 days.  Blessed be his memory.

Roger is survived by his:
Children, Wendy Becker of New Auburn, MN,
Tim Becker of New Auburn, MN,
Cindy Dahlke and her husband, Dean, of Glencoe, MN,
Kari Brinkman and her special friend, Blaine, of New Auburn, MN,
Ryan Becker and his wife, Amber, of Glencoe, MN;
Grandchildren, Mike Becker and his wife, Sierra, Craig Becker, Devon Becker, Derek Becker, Eric Dahlke, Blake Dahlke, Morgan Dahlke, Alexis Brinkman, Megan Brinkman, Connor Brinkman, Anthony Petree;
7 Great Grandchildren;
Brothers-In-Law & Sisters-In-Law, Marilyn Olson, Diane Troje and her husband, Wally, Jane Barjesteh, Dennis Olson and his wife, Irene;
Nieces, Nephews, Other relatives and many friends.

Roger is preceded in death by his Parents, Herbert and Luella Becker; Wife, Kathleen Becker; Father-In-Law and Mother-In-Law, Roy and Lucille Olson; Brothers-In-Law and Sisters-In-Law, Robert “Bob” Olson and his wife, Colleen, Richard “Dick” Olson and his wife, Lorraine, Lyle Olson and his wife, Eileen, Patricia Nelson, Steven Olson.