Victoria Barbara Becker

Friday, October 7, 2016 3:41 pm

Victoria Barbara Becker, 93, of Ossian, passed away with her family by her side Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minn. Mass of Christian Burial was at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian, with Monsignor Cletus Hawes as the celebrant. Friends called Friday, Oct. 7, from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian and one hour before services at the church Saturday. The Catholic Daughters of America led a rosary Friday at 4 p.m. at the church. Interment was in St. Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery, Ossian. Memorials may be made to the De Sales School in Ossian, Iowa. Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Ossian helped the family with the arrangements.

Victoria, the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Wurzer) Schmitt, was born Dec. 9, 1922, in St. Lucas. Victoria attended school in St. Lucas and prior to her marriage she worked at the Gunderson Department Store in Ossian. Victoria was united in marriage with Clarence Becker May 31, 1949, in St. Lucas. Victoria and Clarence farmed north of Ossian, raising beef cattle and hogs. After Clarence’s sudden death in 1970, Victoria continued to live on and operate the farm and raise their eight children. Victoria was a woman of deep faith and devotion; she always carried a rosary in her pocket. She was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, and a longtime member of the Rosary Society and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Along with her family, her Catholic faith was the most important part of her life. Victoria enjoyed each day and was always active. She liked baking, reading, canning and tending to her large vegetable and flower gardens and fruits, especially raspberries. She enjoyed being outdoors. Victoria loved to crochet and has given hundreds of beautiful crocheted afghans to family members and to various charities and nursing homes over the years. Her grandchildren will remember her special sure-shot pancakes and delicious Christmas cookies.

Victoria is survived by her children: David (Sandy) Becker; Allan Becker; Karen (Ron) Stafford; Mary Jo (Dale) Humpal; Connie (Bud) Becker; Joel Becker; Jan (Wanda) Becker; and Michael (Jodi) Becker; 13 grandchildren, Ryan, Carl, Tara, Jenna, Veronica, Victoria, Dylan, Katie, Emily, Samantha, Connor, Logan and Jackson; five great-grandchildren: Oren, Cameron, Rylin, Bradley and McKenna; many nieces and nephews; and two sisters-in-law, Jacqueline and Catherine Becker.

Victoria was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; her daughter, Diane, who died in infancy; her parents; two brothers, Leo and Clement Schmitt; one sister, Monica Schmitt; and her brothers and sisters-in-law, Leander (Geneva) Becker, Leona (Joseph) Miller, Viola (Linus) Bonfig, Edwin Becker, Gerald Becker, and Beatrice Schmitt.