Charlotte Mae Becker

Charlotte Mae (Jochim) Becker was born on September 3, 1940, in Grey Eagle, Minnesota. She grew up on the family farm and graduated from Long Prairie Senior High in 1958. After high school, she worked for an insurance company in the Twin Cities.

On August 26, 1961, she married the love of her life, James Dean Becker, to whom she was married for 59 wonderful years. They were blessed to adopt their two children: Steven and Kimberly.

In 1964, Char and Jim moved from the Twin Cities to Danube and then to Graceville, Minnesota. During those years, Char was a stay-at-home mom. The family moved to Detroit Lakes in 1971. When Char wasn’t busy with being a full-time mom, she also assisted Jim with bookkeeping in his office. After her children graduated from high school, Char went to work serving meals at the Detroit Lakes Junior High, until her retirement. Her hobbies at that time included bowling, volleyball, ceramics, playing Bridge, and being a Campfire Girls troop leader.

Charlotte enjoyed the beautiful view of Big Floyd Lake and watched anxiously each spring for the loons to return. She also enjoyed flower gardening, dancing, baking, the annual “women’s trip” with Kim and Madeline, garage-sales, and going to coffee with her friends. Her laugh was infectious and she always lit up a room when she walked in.

After retirement, Char and Jim spent 18 winters in south Texas, mainly in Mission. She and Jim went to old-time dances, took guided tours, traveled back and forth to Mexico, and belonged to several card groups. Char enjoyed making stained-glass art as gifts for people, never keeping many for herself. She also made greeting cards and played water volleyball, as often as she could. Every winter she looked forward to having her kids and granddaughters come to visit in Texas.

Charlotte most enjoyed her family. She and Jim used to take the family on camping trips every year before settling at the lake place. She especially enjoyed watching her three granddaughters grow up and spending time with them whenever she had a chance. She did a lot of crafts, dressed up in numerous silly outfits, and made tons of goodies for them to enjoy. She was a master at the art of “spoil them and then send them home.”

Charlotte passed away after a short battle with A.L.S. on April 29, 2022, in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. She is survived by her son Steven (Elizabeth) of Foxboro, Wisconsin; daughter Kimberly (Raymond Stenglein) of Spicer, Minnesota; granddaughters Madeline Stenglein and Allison Becker, as well as two sisters, two brothers, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Jim, her parents Anton and Eva, her brother Albert, her sister Agnes, and her granddaughter Annika.

Throughout her life, Charlotte’s faith remained extremely important to her. Her love of God shined through, even amidst days that were filled with extreme sorrow and pain. Charlotte will be remembered as kind-hearted, giving, and loving. She always put the needs of others ahead of her own, even up to her last days. She will be missed by all who were so very blessed to know her.