Anita Becker

Anita Mae (Hutchens) Becker, 92, passed away on Monday, September 30, 2024, at Life Care Center, Greeley, Colorado.     

Anita was born March 13, 1932, to Vere and Maymie (Shephard) Hutchens on the family farm near Wood, SD.  Her grandmother helped deliver her.  Anita had three sisters: Anna Jean, Ruby, and Betty; and one brother, James.  Anita lived on the farm until her father’s death, at which time her brother took over the farm and she and her mother and sisters moved to Wood, SD.  

Anita graduated from Wood High School in 1950.  She met Fred Becker while he was working in southern South Dakota and they were united in marriage on September 15, 1950, in Pierre, South Dakota.  They moved to the Onida, South Dakota area where they worked and farmed until 1960.  Then Anita followed Fred and his construction career to several places in South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, North Dakota, and Colorado.  Anita and Fred gave birth to a son, John Henry, on November 24, 1951, in Hoven, South Dakota; a daughter, Vera Mae, on April 16, 1953, in Gettysburg, South Dakota; and a son, Fred Daniel, on May 21, 1972, in Greeley, Colorado.  Anita’s husband, Fred, died on August 29, 1979, in Washburn, North Dakota.  Anita and her son, Fred, moved to Greeley, Colorado shortly after.  Anita met Merritt Dale Funkhouser in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1987 and they have remained partners in life since.  Anita was a homemaker and a wonderful and caring mother.  She was a seamstress, and she created beautiful china and oil paintings.  Later in life, her greatest love was taking care of her granddaughter, Kayla.    

Those left behind to treasure Anita’s memory are her partner, Merritt Dale Funkhouser; sons: John Henry (Linda) Becker and Fred Daniel (Janet) Becker; daughter, Vera Mae (David) Eastman; grandchildren: David (Jessica) Becker, Sarah (Gerry) Tolbert, Melinda Becker, and Kayla Becker; great grandchildren: Clara and Eleanor Becker, and Rosella, Lydia, and Phoebe Tolbert; sister, Betty Glazer; brothers-in-law: Bill Oakley, George (Donna) Becker, and Howard Jackson; and many nieces and nephews. 

Anita was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Becker; parents: Vere and Maymie Hutchens; mother and father-in–law: Katie and Henry Becker; brother, James Hutchens; sisters: Ruby Oakley and Anna Jean McKee; sisters-in-law: Vivian Wittler, Joyce Sheldon, Evy Douglas, Maxine Hutchens, and Irene LaFurge; brothers-in-law: Robert McKee, Alvin Williams, Bob Sheldon, Jack Glazer, and James Becker.

There will be no visitation or ceremonies.  Anita will be buried beside her husband, Fred Becker, in the Onida Cemetery, Onida, South Dakota.  Anita’s children will carry her memory in their hearts and souls forever.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg, SD has been entrusted with Anita’s arrangements.