James Becker

Age 82 years, of Minneapolis, MN, Fairbanks AK, and Danbury, WI., peacefully passed away on March 4, 2013, at his home in Danbury. Preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bill, and his wife, Marilyn. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Jean; daughters Susan (Brad) Anderson, Cindy (Bruce) Palm, son, Dan (Cheryl) Becker; grandchildren, James Anderson, Katie Anderson, Amy, Jim, and Molly Palm; great-grandchildren, Emilie and Will Anderson; stepchildren, Betsy Fagerlee, David Fagerlee, and Sarah Goudelock. Jim grew up in Sparta WI and Minneapolis, MN. He had great respect for his mother who tried her best to keep him on the “straight and narrow” during his teen years. Jim entered the Air Force shortly after high school graduation and spent three years in Germany. This is where he became skilled in aircraft repair. Following his service discharge, Jim was employed at Minneapolis Honeywell retiring after 38 years. Jim married Marilyn Hayes July, 1957. They raised their three children within a closely knit family and enjoyed many family gatherings in Minneapolis and at their lake place in Aitkin MN. Marilyn passed away November, 1976. Jim filled his free hours building his Pitts biplane, and it clearly reflected his gift of true craftsmanship. Jim flew aerobatics with his biplane; and anyone who was willing to fly upside down, was welcome as his passenger. Jim and Jean were married in 1981. After “retiring” from Honeywell, Jim started a new career as an aircraft mechanic and he and Jean moved to Alaska. Together they explored many remote areas of the state. Most lasting of those memories are the many close friendships he made during those twenty years. Jim gave so freely of himself to family, friends and those in need. Meeting people, traveling, socializing, and being with family were important to Jim. He also loved the quiet times outdoors, both in Alaska and Wisconsin. He and Jean spent thirty-one years together camping, paddling rivers, flying, building their home in Wisconsin and, more recently, just watching the birds and deer from Jim’s “front row seat” that looked out on the woods. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Sunday, March 17 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at BayView Event Center, 687 Excelsior Blvd., Excelsior, MN. (952 470-439). Memorial donations may be made to the MN Ovarian Research Fund (mnovarian.org) or the Burnett County Humane Society (hsburnettcty.org/index.htm) Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Family Funeral Home, Webster. Online condolences can be made at www.swedberg-taylor.com