Obit: Becker, Wilbur John (1915 - 2004)

Transcriber:  Crystal Wendt
Email:  crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Becker, Malik, Schumacker, Schwieso, Romens, Lister, Martin, Fleischauer , Tuttle, Krueger

----Sources: Herald Times Reporter (Manitowoc, Manitowoc, County, Wis.) 11 March 2004

Becker, Wilbur John (14 Feb. 1915 - 8 March 2004)

COLBY, WIS. - Wilbur John Becker 89, Colby, Wisconsin, died Monday, March 8, 2004, at Angelus Retirement Community, Colby, under hospice care.

Funeral services will be at noon Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church. The Rev. John Malik will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Maurina Funeral Home in Abbotsford with a Christian Mother's Rosary at 4 p.m. and a parish prayer vigil at 6:30 p.m.

Wilbur was born February 14, 1915, in Menomonie to Edmund and Emma Becker. They moved to St. Martens and then to Colby when Wilbur was five. Wilbur attended St. Mary's Catholic School and graduated from Colby High School in 1933. On Sept. 28, 1940, Wilbur and Margaret Schumacher were married at St. Louis Catholic Church in Dorchester. She died January 27, 1998. They had farmed with his parents and in 1941 bought a 120 acre farm with them. Four years later Wilbur's parents retired, and Wilbur and Marge ran Hullmarco Guernsey Farm. In 1954, they purchased another 80 acres. They retired in 1976 and moved to Colby.

Wilbur also served his community by serving on several boards and committees. In 1944, he was named president of Hull Co-op Cheese Factory and remained there until 1969. He also served as president of Harmony Co-op for fifteen years as well as on the board of directors. He served on the boards of Equity Co-op Livestock, Marathon County DHIA, and the Wisconsin Cheese Producers. He was a member of the Colby Lions Club, and served as alderman of Colby's Third Ward from 1977 to 1995. He retired from the council at age 80. He was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He joined the Catholic Order of Foresters at age 18 and served as Chief Ranger for 40 years. He also held the office of treasurer for the District Order of Foresters. He served on St. Mary's Cemetery Board. In 1984, Wilbur was named Colby's Citizen of the Year for his commitment to civil and social betterment in and around Colby.

Wilbur's favorite pastime during his retirement years was visiting nursing homes and shut-ins. His ready smile, quick wit, and warm heart will be missed by many. Wilbur's family would like to thank all his dear friends for their visits, cards and support while he was in the hospital, Colonial Center, and Angelus Retirement Community.

Wilbur will be dearly missed by his children, David (Betty) Becker of Mount Horeb, John (Sue) Becker of Pittsville, Cathy (Bruce) Schwieso of Appleton, Alan (Rita) Becker of San Antonio, Texas, Geri (Reed) Romens of Pittsville, and Peggy (Dan) Lister of Hibbing, Minn.; 32 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and his sisters, Regina Martin of Green Bay, and Mary (Emil) Fleischauer of Stevens Point.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Emma Becker; his wife, Margaret; two daughters, Dotti Tuttle and Mary Krueger; his brother, Donald; and sisters, Margaret and Lucille.

In lieu of flowers memorials May be given to St. Mary's Catholic School for tuition assistance.

 

 


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