Genevieve Becker

Genevieve Theresa (Deutsch) Becker was born December 10, 1918 in Bird Island Minnesota, to parents Peter and Mary Deutsch.  She grew up in Watkins, MN, graduated from Litchfield High School and attended St. Cloud Business School.  On July 6, 1940 Genevieve was united in marriage to Leonard Michael Becker at St. Anthony’s Church in Watkins, MN.  They were blessed with 5 children; Maneta (Roger) Mikulak, Rebecca (Fred) Rhodes, Lauren (Kathy) Becker, Michele Kranz (Steven Kranz, deceased), and Lisa (Jay) Sharpe.

Richfield Bank, various retail establishments and Richfield High School library number among Genevieve’s employment experiences.  She was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus Women’s Auxiliary, she was actively involved in Assumption Church as a member of the Council of Catholic Women, singing in the funeral choir, serving as a eucharistic minister and as an outreach minister to the homebound, and volunteered in her community with VEAP and Meals on Wheels.

Genevieve’s many personal interests included spending time with family and friends and traveling.  She was an avid card player of bridge and 500, a gardener and a faithful listener to WCCO radio.  Her baking and cooking expertise brought her fame, especially her chocolate brownies.  Genevieve enjoyed and was highly active in many church functions including the annual Christmas Bazaar and the Fun Fest.  She enjoyed water aerobics well into her 80’s.  Genevieve’s deep faith was lived out in service to her family and community, she attend daily mass, yearly retreats, and Lenten stations of the cross and saying the rosary were most important to her faith.

Genevieve was preceded in death by her loving husband of 47 years, Leonard, her son Lauren, and her brothers and sisters.  She is survived by daughters Maneta, Rebecca, Michele, Lisa and daughter-in-law Kathy; grandchildren Jackie, David, Brian, Paul, Christine, Roxanne, Carolyn, Natalie, Kevin, Brett, Brianne, Lynelle, Aaron, Wade, Victor, Andrew, Sarah, Kirsten, Sam, and 51 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are preferred to: The Church of the Assumption, Richfield, MN; Franciscan Retreat House, Prior Lake, MN; Oblate Missions-National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville, IL.