Esther R. Becker

Esther R. Becker, age 98, of Lancaster, died peacefully on Sunday morning, December 18, 2011, in Lancaster.

She was born on January 8, 1913, in Elmwood, Wisconsin, the third of four children born to Peter and Josephine (Reitz) Reinke. She graduated from Elmwood High School in 1931 and River Falls Teachers College in 1934. She started her teaching career in Lancaster, where she met and married Lancaster dentist, Reginald J. Becker, DDS. They married June 25, 1938, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elmwood.

Esther was a member of St. Clement Catholic Church, the Catholic Daughters, and the American Legion Auxiliary. Esther was very involved in the Lancaster community and treasured her Lancaster friendships. She enjoyed bridge and golf; she and her husband were members of various leagues and the Dubuque and Lancaster Country Clubs. Esther was an avid Wisconsin Badger fan and season ticket holder for fifty years. The center of Esther's life was her family. She enjoyed her children and held great pride in all of their achievements.

She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by her seven children, Dr. William (Betty) Becker, Columbus; Mary (Seth) Barsky, Birmingham, MI; Robert (Ann) Becker, North Canton, OH; John (Alida) Becker, Philadelphia, PA; Dr. James (Linda) Becker, Grafton; Margaret (John) Voorhees, Hazelhurst; and Richard Becker, Lancaster; twelve grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.

Ms. Becker was preceded in death by her husband, Reginald J. Becker, her parents, her sisters, Laura Mans and Josephine Mackey, her brother, Charles Reinke, and daughter in law, Betty Becker.

Funeral services were held on Monday, December 26, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster with Father William Seipp officiating. Burial was in St. Clement Cemetery, Lancaster. Visitation was held on Monday, December 26, 2011, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. The Schwartz Funeral Home of Lancaster is in charge of arrangements.