Becker, Opal Pearl

Opal Pearl Becker, 102, of Norway, died peacefully on April 29, 2013, at Colonial Manor in Amana. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at St. Michael's Parish Center, Norway, with a rosary at 8 p.m. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 3, at St. Michael's in Norway.

Opal was born Sept. 16, 1910, just south of Norway, Iowa. She attended country school and graduated from Norway High School in 1929, with perfect attendance. This was despite riding horseback to school each day. Opal went on to attend Coe College in Cedar Rapids, obtaining her teaching certificate, and taught in a one-room school house until she married Leo Becker on May 25, 1932.

She was an active member of the community, including 4-H, St. Patrick's Church, PTO, Flower Club, and Farm Bureau organizations. Opal worked on the family farm and was a server at the Ox Yoke Inn, Amana, for 25 years. Opal wrote and directed pageants for both the Norway and Watkins centennials. Her pride and joy was her family, as well as being an educator at heart.

Opal was preceded in death by her husband, Leo; her parents, Henry and Martha Brockschink; and her four siblings.

Opal is survived by her daughter, Leola Wagner and husband Gordon. Opal has five grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, three stepgreat-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, including Corrine (Joe) Kimm, Maggie, Dale and Danielle (Zach) Schulte, parents of Opal's great-great-grandchildren, Jackson and Charlie; Ron (Tami) Wagner, Courtney, Kelly, Taylor, Jessica, Megan and stepgrand children, Trevor, Kensley and Taran; Don (Judy) Wagner; Andrea (Chad) Klostermann, Kale and Lane; Jessica (Neil) Ryan, Libby, Kate and Nora.

A memorial fund will be established in her honor.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hrabakfuneralhome.com under “obituaries.”

Arrangements are with Brosh Funeral Service of Norway.

Published May 2, 2013 in The Gazette