Mary Becker

Mary Becker, 94, of Lake View passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.

Mary Olga Jensen was born on April 27, 1932, in Carroll to Oluf and Margaret (Redig) Jensen. She was raised on a farm near Lake View on land originally purchased by her grandparents, where her grandmother was still living during Mary’s childhood. Mary began first grade at the age of five in a country school and later graduated from Lake View High School with the Class of 1949.

Life on the farm shaped Mary from an early age. Her family raised cattle, horses, hogs, chickens, cats and dogs, while also tending corn, soybeans and a large garden. Mary learned the value of hard work through cooking, cleaning, laundry, gardening, caring for animals and the many daily chores that came with farm life in the 1940s. Her father later purchased two 100-acre farms near the outlet of Black Hawk Lake, where Mary helped tend the family bait shop, selling bait and soda and cleaning fish for customers. She also helped clean and care for the cabins her father rented to summer tourists.

Mary met the love of her life, Francis Becker, at a dance at the Lakewood Ballroom in Lake View. The couple was united in marriage in 1951, and this union was blessed with four daughters: Joan, Elaine, Donna and Carol.

Following their marriage, Mary and Francis lived in Storm Lake while Francis worked as a carpenter with his brother, Walter. They later moved to Alta where they built their first home together and raised their growing family. Family, church and home were always at the center of Mary’s life.

Mary enjoyed gardening. She began with a small backyard garden that soon grew into a large garden overflowing with strawberries and vegetables. She and her daughters spent countless summer days canning and freezing the harvest. In 1971, Mary inherited 100 acres of the family farm originally purchased by her grandparents. In 1977, she and Francis built a new home on that land near Black Hawk Lake and made the farm their permanent home. Mary helped finish the home herself by painting, staining, varnishing and assisting with the woodworking.

Together, Mary and Francis farmed organically because they believed strongly in being good stewards of the land. They raised corn, soybeans, alfalfa hay, cattle, chickens and occasionally geese, turkeys, guineas and horses. Through all the years of farming and family life, they worked side by side. When Francis became ill, Mary lovingly cared for him at home until his passing in 1994.

Later in life, Mary found companionship with Arnie Williams. Together they enjoyed traveling, dancing, visiting family, sharing stories and working on projects around the farm. They brought each other great happiness. Following Arnie’s passing in 2015, Mary once again faced loss with strength and grace.

Mary was a woman of remarkable determination and many talents. She gardened, canned, froze food, painted homes inside and out, finished cabinets and woodwork, raised cattle until she was 78 years old, kept chickens until she was 88, cared for farm cats and beloved dogs, baked and decorated wedding cakes, reupholstered furniture, sewed clothing for herself and her daughters, and made quilts from fabric scraps. She taught catechism to first graders in Alta, served as a Camp Fire Girls leader, and was especially known for her delicious homemade bread. Her daughters fondly remembered coming home from school to the smell of fresh bread baking in the kitchen.

Mary lived on the farm for 46 years of her life and cherished every moment there. She loved being outdoors, living near the lake, and identifying the many birds she watched and listened to from her home. She found beauty in the land, the lake and the simple blessings of everyday life.

Faith was central to Mary’s life. In 1989, she traveled to Medjugorje with her daughter Donna and later returned with a group from Carroll. She was deeply inspired by the stories of the Blessed Virgin Mary appearing there. She also traveled to Fatima, Garabandal and Lourdes with her daughter Elaine. Mary helped start and lead a prayer group, faithfully promoted the praying of the rosary, attended daily Mass whenever possible, and devoted much of her life to prayer and her Catholic faith.

Above all else, Mary treasured her family. She lived a life rooted in faith, family, hard work and love for the land she called home. She will be remembered for her strong work ethic, deep faith, quiet strength, generous heart and the example she set through a life well lived.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters: Joan, Elaine (Jim), Donna (Tom) and Carol (Byron); grandchildren: Merle (Toni), Christina (David) Jarod (Amanda), Brandon, Brian, Valerie (Aric), Rachel (Paul), Melissa (Pat) and Laurel; 24 great-grandchildren; sister Dorothy (Larry); along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Francis Becker; companion Arnie Williams; her parents, Oluf and Margaret Jensen; brothers, Clarence and Paul Jensen; and son-in-law Robert Wilhelm.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 12, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake with Father Joe Dillinger and Deacon Butch Stone officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 11, with Rosary at 4:30 p.m., visitation from 5-7:00 p.m. and Vigil Service 7 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Farber & Otteman Funeral Home of Wall Lake has been entrusted to care for Mary and her family.