Ruth A. Becker

VERONA - Ruth A. Becker, age 83, passed away on May 8, 2012, at St. Mary's Care Center. She was born Feb. 16, 1929, in Manhattan, KS, the daughter of Fleda (Kersey) and Guy B. Dailey. She grew up in Manhattan and attended Kansas State University, where she was a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority. She married Charles Becker on June 19, 1948 in Manhattan. She and Charles raised their family in Stockton, IL where they owned the Stockton Herald-News. After the sale of the paper she worked as a cook in Stockton, Freeport, and Rockford and at Kappa Kappa Gamma, Alpha Epsilon Phi and Pi Beta Phi sororities in Madison. She also worked in food service at Verona Area High School. She was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous for 43 years. Survivors include her sister Betty Jean (Jerry) Brotherson of Shawnee, KS; children Linda (Terry) Schmitt of Verona, WI; Claire (Steve) Gordon of Cle Elum, WA; Kathy (Don Ahlgren) Breed of Wauconda, IL; Pete (Becky) Becker of Madison, WI; and Jane Becker of Portage, WI; seven grandchildren, Burt and Scott Brown of CleElum, WA; Charles Brown of Los Angeles, CA; Julie (Fred) Dowdell of Beloit, WI; Jenny (Kyle Walpole) Foster; Jason (Jennifer) Becker and Clara Schmitt of Madison, WI; great grandchildren, Scott Brown and Madeleine and Emma Foster. She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant son, Bruce Becker. A memorial gathering will be held in the COMMUNITY ROOM of the SUGAR CREEK APARTMENTS, 304 Church Ave., Verona on Saturday, May 19, 2012, from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. The family would like to thank the staff at St. Mary’s Hospital and St. Mary’s Care Center who cared for Ruth in her final days. Memorials can be made to the Capitol City Band Association.