Janice Becker

JANICE MALFELD BECKER

Iowa City

Janice Malfeld Becker, a longtime resident of Iowa City and longtime attorney in Iowa City and Coralville, died at her home in Iowa City on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, in the presence of family after a short illness. She was 76.

Janice was born on Dec. 12, 1940, in Marshalltown, Iowa, to Anna May Niedermann Malfeld and Donald W. Malfeld. She grew up on a farm in Marshall County, Iowa, the oldest of five children.

A first-generation college student, Janice earned her B.A. from the University of Iowa and her J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law. While living and working in Iowa City, she met George E. Becker, Ph.D., a professor of microbiology at the University of Iowa, marrying him in October 1968. They remained married until his death in 1986.

In addition to her devotion to her family, friends and clients, and to the practice of law (which she pursued until shortly before her death), Janice was devoted to the community of Iowa City and its environs. Among other things, she was a founding member and former president of the Johnson County Humane Society, active in the Johnson County Bar Association, past president of the Iowa City School District Transition Services Community Agency Parent Teacher Organization, and served on the University of Iowa Animal and Care Committee and also on the Coralville/Iowa City Animal Control Advisory Committee. Other passions included art, gardening, and travel with, or to see, friends and family, as close in proximity as Minnesota and as far away as Zimbabwe.

Janice is survived by her siblings, siblings-in-law and her sister-in-law: brother Gary and his wife, Mariela, of Miami, Fla. sister Sue Strand of San Jose, Calif.; sister Lynn Malfeld and her husband, Nick Brubaker, of St. Paul, Minn.; sister Diane Malfeld and her husband, Craig Currie, of St. Paul, Minn.; and sister-in-law Marjorie Pasqualetto of Mount Vernon, N.Y. Janice also is survived by her beloved nieces and nephews and their spouses or partners: Matthew Strand and his wife, Shadi; Mariela Melissa Malfeld and her husband, Eric Bluestein; Kathryn Malfeld Currie and her husband, Erik Levy; Andrea Malfeld Brubaker and her husband, John Bussey; Julia Malfeld Currie and her fiancee, Chelsea White; Mary Pasqualetto; George Pasqualetto; Guy Vincent; Vincent Pasqualetto; and Colin Pasqualetto and wife, Vilma. Janice was great-aunt to many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Janice also is survived by her rescue cats, Sake and Nikki, so, fittingly, donors may direct memorial gifts to the Johnson County Humane Society. In lieu thereof, the family also would be pleased with gifts directed to Iowa City Hospice or Iowa Legal Aid.

A memorial service to celebrate, remember and honor Janice's life is being planned for this summer in Iowa City. Champagne will be served.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.