Louise (Torkelson) Becker

Louise Becker, 92, of Warren, MN, died in North Valley Health Center, on Sunday, June 11, 2023; a day she had been awaiting as her “Coronation Day.”

Louise was born in the living room of the family farmhouse, five miles outside of Karlstad, MN, on April 9, 1931. She was raised by her parents, Carl and Ida (Rood) Torkelson, to know, love, and fear the Lord. She was baptized at a month old, received confirmation at age 12, and began a lifelong habit of praying constantly for her loved ones. She graduated from the local high school and was nominated “Best Dressed,” before attending Aakers Business College. She was married to Pastor Walter Louis Becker and the two had five children while moving around the country.

Now we don't often think of oysters on the prairies of Minnesota. But an oyster is hard on the outside, soft on the inside, and it takes all the grittiness of life and smooths it over: it coats over the jagged things with pearlescent beauty. Between Louise's own amazing steadfastness, her parents' and siblings' support, and God's never-ending care, Louise brought her children back to where she grew up so she could raise them where they'd be surrounded by love. She smoothed over the grittiness of years past and made something beautiful.

After assisting at the nursing home for a number of years, Louise went back to school and earned her degree in Nursing at the age of 50. She worked as an LPN at Mount St. Benedict in Crookston, and the Good Samaritan Home in Warren. She retired in 2005 at age of 74. In her free time, Louise enjoyed spending time with all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, baking, knitting, and crocheting. Her favorite performers were Daniel O'Donnell and Elvis, the latter “singing her to sleep” every night with Gospel hymns. She was devoted to her Bible studies and continued to pray for her family daily- for each member of it individually, by name.
 

Louise is survived by four of her children, Connie (Ed) Duncan of Phoenix, AZ, John (Liane) Becker of Hot Springs, SD, Gabe (Lyle) Hanson of Thief River Falls, MN, and Robert (Nancy) Becker of Langdon, ND; nine grandchildren, Corey (Kristine), Ian (Lucy), and Caitlin (Kyle), Gretchen (Adam), Molly (Aaron) and Tyler (Danielle), and Nick (Maggie), Courtney (Josh), and Chris; twelve great-grandkids, Andrew, Hannah, Elijah, Ihle, Myla, Bennett, Marah, Silas, Josiah, Nolan, Roxy, and Oakley.

She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Carl and Ida Torkelson; beloved son, Paul Becker; and was the last of her siblings, her brothers, Alfred, Norvel, and Oliver Torkelson, and sisters, Thelma Thompson, Amy Fedje, Clarice Erickson,Valborg Torkelson, and Marie Braaten; all awaiting her arrival “home.”


FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, June 17, 2023, at 2:00 PM, in the Evangelical Covenant Church of Warren, MN.
VISITATION: will be held one hour prior.
RECEPTION: Beginning at Noon at the church, where a light lunch will be served.
INTERMENT: Hegland Lutheran Cemetery, rural Karlstad, MN.
ARRANGEMENTS: DuBore Funeral Home of Warren.