Herman "Ted" Becker

Herman F. Becker, better known to his friends as "Ted", was born March 27, 1905, at Hubbard, Iowa, to August and Hulda (Oestrich) Becker, and was baptized on May 27, 1905.  He attended grade school and was confirmed (in German) on April 13, 1919, in Myrtle, Minnesota.

Herman grew up in Minnesota assisting his family of three brothers and three sisters on their family farm.  He entered a trade school for barbering; after completeing his training he took a train to South Dakota, got off the train in Philip for lunch, and ended up staying there to make his home.  He cut nearly three generations of hair in the community area of Philip, but also did carpentry, electrical work, and trucking for Western Cattle Company.  He bought a quarter section farm and added this to his list of "trades".

He married Velma Grace Halverson on August 15, 1928, and they were blessed with three daughtes, Beverly J. Fox, Gloria J. Teegardin, and a third daughter, Gloria's twin, who died shortly after birth.  Velma died on November 23, 1940, suffering from complications of child birth.

Ted later married Maide M. Taylor on August 23, 1942, and was widowed on August 31, 1986.

As a young man, Ted enjoyed singing in the church choir and community quartet.  He taught himself to play the trombone and played in the Philip City Band for many years.  In his early years, Ted began playing golf, winning many area tournaments.  He challenged many of his friends at the game into his early 80's.

Ted was a caring father and hard worker, instilling in his daughters a strong, sincere work ethic.  Both daughters related that their father was a very mild-mannered gentleman.  He was sincere, loving, and caring and approached life with a quiet sense of humor.

Grateful for having shared his life are his two daughters, Beverly and Gloria, both of San Antonio, Texas; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Bertha Schilling and Lenore Will of Albert Lea, Minnesota, and Clara Horgen of Northwood, Iowa; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his two wives, his infant daughter, and three brothers, Willhelm, Ernest, and Carl.

Services
Wednesday, January 4, 1995
10:00 a.m.
First Lutheran Church
Philip, South Dakota

Officiating
Reverend Hans Sacrison

Music
Lorna Wheeler - Organist
Kathy Noteboom - Vocalist
"In The Garden"

Ushers
Greg Weber - Lee Schoniger

Active Pallbearers
Bill Winegar - Mark Coyle
Wendell Seifert - Steve Kroetch
Mike Groven - Bruce Kroetch

Honorary Pallbearers
The Senechal Neighbors and
all the relatives and friends in attendance

Interment
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

Service Details

Services
Wednesday, January 4, 1995
10:00 a.m.
First Lutheran Church in Philip