Obituaries : Donald Herman Becker

Donald Herman Becker, 90, of Van Horne, Iowa died peacefully in his home surrounded by family on Wednesday,  April 8, 2026.     

Services will be held at Prairie View Christian Church in Norway, Iowa at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 18, 2026, followed by a private family burial at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Blairstown with military honors.  Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life at the American Legion Hall Post 170 in Blairstown from 12-4 on Saturday. Memorials may be made to the family or to the Blairstown American Legion Post 170.  Online condolences can be made at www.neuhausfuneralservice.com. Hrabak- Neuhaus Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Donald was born on July 11, 1935, on a farm near Blairstown, Iowa to Herman and Lillian (Husted) Becker.   He graduated from Blairstown High School in 1953.  He played basketball but his love was baseball.  

He registered for the draft in July 1953 and was called to duty in the United States Army in September 1954.  He began Basic Combat Training in October 1954 where his specialty was in the Cml (Chemical) Warfare service.  He was stationed in Point Barrow Alaska where he worked on the Dew Line. In October 1956 he was Honorably discharged as a Corporal but continued in the Reserves until February 1961.

He met his wife Virginia (Schmuecker) a short time after coming home from the service.  They were married on February 12, 1957, at St. Patrick’s Church in Watkins, Iowa. He made his first home with Virginia for the first three years on his father’s farm, then changed residence to a farm east of Blairstown for three years.  The next fifty years they resettled on a farm on Highway 30 where they raised their six children.  Due to the new development of Highway 30, they relocated to Van Horne.

 Donald was a lifetime farmer.  He collected antique tractors, enjoyed flea markets and estate sales.  He loved to restore, repair and recreate and had an ability to breathe life into what looked like junk .  He was an avid collector of toys, old and unique items.   He enjoyed The Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant and driving around the area with his wife Virginia to “just look around”.  He was known to always have a helping hand to anyone in need, especially  his family.  Donnie never knew a stranger.

He is survived by his wife Virginia, of 69 years and their children Steve (Deanna) Becker of Blairstown, Angie Becker of Van Horne, Debbie Gorsch of Hiawatha, Cheryl (Todd) Hennings of Elberon, Jeanne Becker of Cedar Rapids, 20 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, and two step great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Susan Barger, great granddaughters Ruth Anne Becker and Renae Hennings, parents Herman and Lillian, sister Alberta Volz brothers Mike Becker and Wayne Becker, and sister Bonnie Kahle, and son-in-law Tim Barger.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt Thank You to Essence of Life Hospice for the comfort, warmth and peace of mind you provided.  Your kind words of encouragement and guidance will be forever carried in our hearts.