Charlene Becker, age 93, of Kimball, died Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at Savannah Prairie Assisted Living in Kimball surrounded by her family’s love and care.

Memorial Services will be held 12:00 p.m. Monday, July 31, 2017 at St. Benedict’s Senior Community Chapel, St. Cloud with Rev. Marlene Elmstrom officiating. Visitation will be held from 2:00-5:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Kimball and one half-hour prior to the service on Monday at St. Benedict’s Senior Community Chapel. Burial with military honors will be held at a later date at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls, Minnesota.

Charlene Becker was a remarkable women who was born May 26, 1924 to Ross & Bertha (Verch) Smith in Janesville, Wisconsin. She grew up in Beloit, Wisconsin, where she also attended school. On her nineteenth birthday, Charlene joined the United States Navy. While she was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Training Station, she met Otto Becker who was also serving. They were married at end of WWII on August 17, 1946 in Beloit, Wisconsin. Charlene was always busy with work as an accountant for businesses in Albert Lea, Minnesota, along with their own business of Becker's Sanitation. Her days were kept busy by being actively involved in the Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts, director of the summer YMCA camps, and others as her children were growing up. She supported them in their school related activities and was always on the sidelines of their sporting events. Charlene also gave this support to her grandchildren when she was with them. Charlene was giving of her time and was always a volunteer throughout her life. She worked closely with the Freeborn Historical Society to teach children history of the past. She volunteered at National Parks and Monuments with Bandelier, NM, as one of her favorites. Charlene also went to Liberia, Africa to teach at a church school. At the age of sixty-four, Charlene graduated with honors from MSU with degrees in anthropology and gerontology. She then worked briefly with social services of Freeborn County and served on the regional Board of Aging. Her love of cultures and their ancient history made travel a priority, as she spent time in fifty-six countries, with Turkey & Nepal being her favorites.  Her greatest find was to identify the Lyle Woolly Mammoth when Mr. Lyle first unearthed part of it.

Charlene will be missed by her family and friends. She is survived by her husband of over 70 years, Otto of Kimball; son, James (Martha) of Danville, VT; daughter, Patricia (Russell) Robb of Kimball; grandchildren and their spouses, Shawn (Kerri Ann) Robb, Trevor (Emily) Becker and Lizzy (Kevin) Bush; six great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and sister, Wanda Brohn of Beloit, WI. There to greet Charlene in heaven, were her parents, Ross & Bertha, brother & sister-in-law, Danny & Karen Smith, and brother-in-law, Lynn Brohn.

Russ Robb, Shawn Robb, Trevor Becker, & Tom Olson will serve as urnbearers. Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Kimball.

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