Ida Belle Becker

Ida Belle (Townes) Becker received The Master’s Call at 8:15 a.m., 19 November 2019.

Ida was born 25 June 1930 to Harvey J. and Alta Alberta (Eaton) Townes of Ensley Center, Michigan. Her mother passed in 1970 and her father the following year. She was the 4th of 9 children having 4 brothers and 4 sisters. Her last living sibling is Sue Vesta (Townes) Jager.

After WWII she married Army veteran Morris Junior Becker and they had 8 children, 6 boys and 2 girls. Many of her descendants carry on the family tradition of military service that dates back to the Revolutionary War. There service includes Navy, Army, Marines and Civil Air Patrol.

She is survived by all her children, Harvey Becker (Patricia), Curtiss Becker (Debra), Paul Becker (Judy), Sonnya Clinton (Philip), Diana Colbath, Robert Becker (Yong), Kevin Becker (Karen) and Gerald Becker (Nora) as well as 23 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Due to work Morris and Ida moved the family several times in the early part of their marriage. They lived in Cedar Springs, Ada, Hart, Shelby, Wayland, Middleville. After her husband passed, she moved to Grand Rapids and then to Fowler, Indiana where she retired from Lafayette Venetian Blinds. Later she moved to Fairbanks, Alaska for a few years and then her next stop was Traverse City where she was closer to her daughter Diana who acted as her caregiver for the last years of her life. Ida’s last few years were in the tender and wonderful care of the great staff of The Pavilions in Traverse City.

Ida was known for her crafting, work as a seamstress, scout leader/den mother, and her endless work to keep the family strong. Being married to a long-haul trucker she was left the awesome responsibility of raising the children, keeping the house and working many jobs in order to keep food on the table and clothes on the family. Her children called her “Granny” and all the kids’ friends called her “Mom”. Her door was open to all who needed a roof or a meal. If you knew Ida, and ever heard the Jimmy Dean song IOU, you too would be convinced that it was written about her.

Her passing leaves a hole in the mortal world but she now walks with The Father, is back with her husband looking down and watching over her children, happy in the knowledge that she was loved by many and will be remembered by all that were lucky enough to have met her.

It is requested that in lieu of cards or flowers donations be made in her name to The Grand Traverse Pavilions Foundation (1000 Pavilions Cir, Traverse City, MI 49684) so that her friends there may benefit from her love even after she has gone.

There will be a private viewing for the family members followed by a private interment service officiated by her nephew Pastor Richard Townes (LT CDR USN Retired). The family asks that friends and family join in the Celebration of Life at the Cowboy Church (aka 2nd Chance Center), 810 17 Mile Road, Cedar Springs, MI. The celebration will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. 27 Nov. 2018.

Rest in divine peace Mom. You have well earned your eternal bliss. Please know how much we all love you and will miss you.