Gene Tunney Becker

Gene T. Becker, age 85 of Buffalo City passed away at home on Thursday, August 22, 2013 after a courageous battle with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia for the past 12 years. He was born on September 12, 1927 in his grandfather’s home in Buffalo City. Gene was the son of the late Orion and Alverna (Lindrud) Becker. When he was 17 he enlisted in the United States Navy. After training in Great Lakes, IL he was sent to air school in Norman, OK. He was then deployed overseas to the Philippine Islands. Gene was a crew member of Bombing Squadron VP 106. After the was the squadron was decommissioned and he was transferred to Squadron MS 11, sea plane and air rescue. His last year he served on the USS Princeton 37. After being granted an honorable discharge from the navy in 1948 he went on to marry Shirley Rothering on October 25th, 1950 at Lutheran Parsonage in Cochrane. They had one son: Dean Becker of Buffalo City. Years later he then married Sandra Northrup in July 1967 in Sioux Falls, SD. They had one daughter: Susan Becker of New Holstein, WI. Gene worked for Kertzman Dredging for 23 years. The company was sold to Robers Dredging Co. after which he went to finish his dredging career with Mathison Dredging Co. of Burlington, IA. One of his favorite work accomplishments was dredging cleanup after the Mt. St. Helen’s eruption. Gene was also a long time member of both the Cochrane VFW and the Alma American Legion Post 224. He loved to watch the Packers and tinker in his shop. Gene was preceded in death by his parents as well as three brothers, all of Buffalo City. Survivors include his son Dean (Susan) Becker, his daughter Susan Becker, nephew Steven Becker of Buffalo City, and several cousins and friends. Gene’s children are very proud of their father and his accomplishments. They would like to thank him for his love and kindness and will miss him dearly. They would also like to thank the 10th floor Hematology Dept. at the Mayo Clinic for years of compassion and caring for their father. Their thanks also go to the Wabasha Hospice Caregiver Program for allowing their father to fulfill his wish of staying at home. A service will be held in Gene’s honor at Dr. Martin Luther Church in Buffalo City, WI on Monday, August 26, 2013 at 11 AM with visitation one hour prior. Interment will be held the following day at Buffalo City Cemetery.