Royce & Marlene Becker Obituary and Memorial

Life story

ROYCE EUGENE BECKER, age 82, of Ellsworth, died Thursday, October 26, 2017, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. He was born May 18, 1935, in Wilmot, SD, to Fred and Jennie (Williams) Becker. At the age of three, he moved with his family to Luverne, later they moved to Little Rock, IA. Royce attended country school before graduating from Ellsworth High School in 1953, where he played football and basketball. He also belonged to the Kanaranzi Livewire 4-H where he often showed pigs at the State Fair. Royce began working for Adrian Concrete in 1953. He served his country in the Minnesota National Guard from 1957 to 1964.

Royce married his high school sweetheart Marlene Ann Meester on July 23, 1957, at Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth. The couple lived in Adrian, Ellsworth and Kanaranzi before moving to Ellsworth in 1961. In 1964, Royce returned to Adrian Concrete. Royce partnered with Jim Honnerman and bought Adrian Concrete which later became Adrian Tile Company in November of 1976. In July of 1997, Royce sold his share in the Tile Company and began helping out at Dan’s Service Station in Ellsworth. In 2007, he began working part time at CHS.

He was a member of Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth, where he had served as Trustee, Deacon and an Elder. Royce had served as a Councilman & Mayor of Ellsworth, the Ellsworth Volunteer Fire Department, and was a charter member of the Ellsworth Community Club. He enjoyed polka music, bowling, stock car racing at the local tracks, wintering in Texas for over eleven years, traveling to the casino, and baseball.

Royce is survived by his wife of sixty years, Marlene Becker, Ellsworth; three children, Lance (Nancy) Becker, Adrian; Rhonda (Kenny) Groen, Ellsworth; and Shelley (Gene) Lovell, Windom; six grandchildren, Tara (Josh) Colwell, Jenna (Dylan) Kvaale, Marla (Travis) Jenniges, Makenzie Lovell (Derick) Hall, Collin Lovell (friend, Leah Hacker) and Kobe Lovell; six great grandchildren, Avery, Valentine, William and Adalyn Jenniges; and Layla & Harrison Kvaale; three step grandchildren, Ethan (Rachel), Ross & Spencer Wieneke; a brother, Linley (Lorraine) Becker, Sioux Falls, SD; and a sister-in-law, Darlene Becker, New Hope.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Russell Becker; and a niece, Kimberly Becker.

MARLENE ANN BECKER, age 87, of Ellsworth, died Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. She was born May 3, 1937, in Ellsworth, to Henry and Ruby (Stockwell) Meester. She graduated from Ellsworth High School. She later graduated from The Beauty School of South Dakota in Sioux Falls.

Marlene married her high school sweetheart, Royce Becker on July 23, 1957, at Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth. The couple lived in Adrian, Ellsworth and Kanaranzi before moving to Ellsworth in 1961. Marlene owned & operated Marlene’s Beauty Shop, in Ellsworth, for over sixty years.

She was a seventy year member of Zion Presbyterian Church, in Ellsworth, where she was a member of PW and Bible Study. She enjoyed bowling, camping, playing cards, dancing, cooking, baking, sewing, quilting and crocheting. She spent many hours making quilts, afghans and scrapbooks for each of the grandchildren. She was also an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins.

Marlene is survived by her three children, Lance (Nancy) Becker, Adrian; Rhonda (Kenny) Groen, Ellsworth; and Shelley (Gene) Lovell, Windom; nine grandchildren, Tara (Josh) Colwell, Jenna (Dylan) Kvaale, Marla (Travis) Jenniges, Makenzie (Derick) Hall, Collin (Leah) Lovell, Kobe Lovell, Ethan (Rachel) Wieneke, Ross (Karissa) Wieneke & Spencer Wieneke; fourteen great-grandchildren, Avery, Valentine, William and Adalyn Jenniges; Layla & Harrison Kvaale; Hope, Hudson & Royce Colwell; Kynlee & Archie Hall; Tucker Lovell; Quinn & Wilson Wieneke; a sister, Janice (Bill) Wilson, Renner, SD; a sister-in-law, Annette Meester, Lakeville, MN; and a brother-in-law, Lin (Lorraine) Becker, Sioux Falls, SD.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Royce, on October 26, 2017; and brother, Don Meester.

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