Loretta Elaine (Weise) Becker, age 88, of Turtle Lake, passed away on Friday, June 2, 2023 at the Heritage Nursing Home in Elmwood.

She was born on November 14, 1934 to Leonard and Kathleen (Reyer) Weise in St. Paul, MN.

She later moved to Turtle Lake at the age of 13 after the death of her parents and 1 ½ year old sister, Carol Ann in a car accident which injured her and her 6 year old sister, Sharon. They lived with their sister Beatrice and their 2 aunts. She later married Walter Becker of Almena in 1952. They had a son, Steve in in 1953, and later in 1954, a son, Melvin was born. They farmed in Hillsdale until May of 2000 when Walter got killed by a cow. In 1999, son Melvin died after a 20 year battle with cancer.

Loretta worked at Jerome Foods and Clausen’s Dime Store in Barron. She later drove school bus for Barron Schools for 36 years, retiring in November of 2004. She was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Barron, where she sang in the choir and taught vacation bible school. She was the general 4-H leader for many years for the Mighty Fine 4-H club. She was secretary of the Wisconsin Draft Horse and Mule Association. She loved her family very much. She also loved her garden, her flowers, fishing, horses and dogs. She drove horses in the field along with her husband, planting crops and getting them ready for horse pulling. She loved dogs and leaves her best friend, Freckles, who never left her side. She also leaves behind her friend, Jodi, who was always there for her in the house and taking her places.

She recently found a new friend, Melinda Bergstrom of Turtle Lake, who cares for all her needs after Jodi got sick and couldn’t do it anymore.

Loretta is survived by her son, Steven (Emma) Becker of Baldwin; daughter-in-law, Kathleen Hargrave; grandsons, Daniel of Chetek, David (Julie) of Baldwin, Anthony and Angela of Baldwin; great-grandchildren, Aiden, Allie and Maddilyn of Chetek and Evan and Bennett of Baldwin; sister, Sharon (Don) Selle of Turtle Lake; sister-in-laws, Elvera (Dave) Morgan of Rice Lake, Edna Organ of Barron, Joyce (Alfred) Becker of Almena, Barb (Roger) Becker of Barron and Dorleen Fladwood of Turtle Lake; as well as nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Melvin; grandson, Jason; sisters, Beatrice and Carol Ann; brother, Leslie.

A memorial service for Loretta will be held on Friday, June 9, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church in Barron. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at St. Mathews Cemetery in the Township of Clinton.

Arrangements are being handled by Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron.

Last Update: Jun 05, 2023 10:30 am CDT