Obituary of Ronald Henry Becker

BECKER - Ronald Henry Becker passed away suddenly on the family farm Saturday April 30, 2016. Ronald was born on October 4, 1934 to Ernest and Violet (nee Bennett) on a homestead north of Pelly. The next year the family moved back to Ernest's family homestead near Stornoway, where Ronald grew up. Ronald worked at many jobs throughout the years, starting out working as a farm hand, moving on to road construction in Alberta for a season. Eventually he took up the trade of carpentry working for his uncle Alfred Becker while earning his Apprenticeship in the trade. He also worked for a time with Logan Stevens Construction in Yorkton. In June of 1959 Ronald married Verna Lackten at Kamsack, SK. The marriage was to become a unique and hard working partnership which was to last for 49 years. In 1960 Ronald and Verna were blessed with twin daughters Charlotte and Cheryl. Unfortunately the twins were premature and Cheryl did not survive. The couple were once again blessed in 1964 with the arrival of another daughter Sharon. Ronald's work as a carpenter took him to many of the surrounding communities working on a variety of projects, often taking him away from home. Consequently in 1966 Ronald and Verna made the decision to move back and help out his parents on the family farm. Ronald and Verna spent many happy years working on the farm doing the work they loved. Ronald was well respected in the local farming community, he was a good friend, and a good neighbour helping out whenever he could. In his younger days he was actively involved in sports like baseball and curling, later on he become involved in the economic activities of the community by joining various boards and organizations. In his later years Ronald loved to socialize visiting friends and playing cards, whenever he could and became a staunch member of "coffee row". Ronald was a true outdoorsman, and when hunting season arrived and chores allowed, you could be sure to find him out "pushing bush". Ronald was also somewhat of a lumberjack and loved to "put up wood" for the winter season, as he heated his house with wood and had one of the few wood cookstoves still being actively used in the community. Ronald was a great family man and was extremely proud to learn that he was soon to be a great grandfather to a daughter of his grandson Kyle, due later this year. Unfortunately in 2009 Ronald's life was forever changed with the passing of his wife Verna. Determined to continue to farm, he now also had to learn to cook, clean and do laundry. He took it all in stride and continued to live and work on the farm until his passing. Ronald was pre-deceased by this wife Verna (March 2009); an infant daughter Cheryl (June 1960); parents Ernest (Oct 1997) and Violet (Sept 2005); a brother Grant (July 1979) and sisters Elizabeth (January 1990) and Gladys (Dec 2009). As well as several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and nephews. Ronald will be forever missed by Daughters Charlotte (Cliff) MacKay of Lloydminster and Sharon (Wesley) Hiebert of Kamsack. Grandson Kyle (Mikahla) MacKay of Lloydminster and Granddaughter Melissa MacKay of Islay, Alberta. Three brothers: Richard of Springside, Harold (Donna) of Medicine Hat, AB; and Henry (Pat) of Kamloops, BC; and one sister, Audrey (Bob) Schattenkirk of Yorkton as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and many friends. The funeral service was held on Thursday, May 5th 2016 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Rev. Deborah Smith of Westview United Church officiating. The eulogy was given by Gerald Buenneke. The processional hymn was 'Amazing Grace', and the recessional hymn was 'Church in the Wildwood'. The interment took place in the Garden of St.. Matthew with grandson Kyle MacKay serving as the urnbearer. Memorials were to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or to one's Charity of Choice. Service Information Thursday, May 5th, 2016 2:00pm, Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens