Naomi Evangeline (Van) Delores Becker passed away March 9, 2013, just 5 days short of her 86th birthday, with hospice care at the home of her dear friends Gary and Marion Graham in rural Hutchinson, with her family by her side. A Memorial Service was held on March 16, 2013 at Hunters Ridge Community Church in Hutchinson and internment will be at the Benson City Cemetery at a later date. Clergy officiating were Pastor William (Lanny) Penwell, Hutchinson Evangelical Free Church and Pastor Reed Egerstrom, First Evangelical Free Church of Benson. Pianist was Agnette Duncan. Soloist Derek Youngren sang "Children of the Heavenly Father" in Swedish, and Deborah Penwell sang "Heaven is my Home" by Rev. David Becker, accompanied by Adam Thiel on the Mandolin. Congregational singing was led by Joan Egerstrom. Van was born March 14, 1927, in Benson, MN, to Rev. David J. Becker and Freda Sophia (Liljaholm) Becker. She was called by her second name, Evangeline, which was later shortened to Van, as in moving van. She started school in Lamson, MN and later moved to Detroit Lakes. She was confirmed in 1940 at Lake Eunice Evangelical Free Church, baptized in 1943 at Island Lake Evangelical Free Church, Alvwood, MN and then graduated in 1944 in Blackduck, MN. According to Van, "We kept moving, not because the law was chasing us but because the Lord was leading us. My father and mother were God-fearing, and obedient servants of the Lord." Van lived in Benson, MN after high school and worked for her brother-in-law, Paul Moline at Moline Insurance. She later moved to Minneapolis, MN, and worked at the highway department, then moved to Atlanta, GA for a year, then back to Minneapolis, where she eventually retired from Control Data Corporation. She was a member of West Bloomington Evangelical Free Church. She was active there teaching Sunday school, Pioneer Girls, singing in the choir and helping out in other areas. Van enjoyed musicplaying the piano, harmonica, and ukulele and singing, and also enjoyed writing poetry. Golfing, fishing & gardening were her favorite summertime hobbies. Bowling, getting caught up in reading & writing and church activities kept her busy in the wintertime. Weekends at Paul and Viv's cottage on Lake Minnewaska were always a cherished time of fun and relaxation. Van moved to Hutchinson in 2001 to be close to her brother, Reuben, and was a member of the Hutchinson Evangelical Free Church and volunteered with the Hutchinson Hospital Auxilary. Van had many friends in Hutchinson and was always so grateful for their visits. When asked if she was married she always replied " No, he died in infancy." She delighted all who knew her by her friendship, quick wit, poetry, love of chocolate, and her love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Van was preceded in death by her parents Rev. David and Freda Becker, her sisters Vivian and husband Paul, Blanche and her husband Elinar and cousin Beulah Becker who was cared for by Van during her battle with Alzhiemers. Van is survived by her brother Reuben (Elaine) Becker, nieces Marcia (Arlie) Lawrenz, Faye Johnson and nephew Brent (Carlene) Becker and by great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephew. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." 2 Cor 5:8 (KJV)
