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Eileen Becker, 78, of Des Moines, formerly of Afton, died Saturday, July 6, 2024, at her home in Des Moines. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday July 12, at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Afton. Memorial services will be livestreamed. Fr. Patrick Amedeka will officiate. Burial will be in St. Edward’s Catholic Cemetery near Afton. Open memorial visitation will be 2-7 p.m., with family receiving friends from 3-7 p.m., Thursday July 11, at Powers Funeral Home in Afton. A rosary service will be held at 4 p.m. and prayer service at 6 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorials can be directed to East Union Dollars for Scholars. Online condolences may be made at www.powersfh.com.
Eileen Ann Becker, daughter of Donald Bruce Bacon and Helen G. (Goodridge) Bacon, was born on Aug. 22, 1945, in Creston. She graduated from East Union High School with the class of 1963 and continued her education at Creston Junior College.
On Sept. 25, 1965, Eileen was united in marriage to Michael Thomas Becker at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Afton. From this union came two children, Timothy Bruce, who was stillborn and Janis Eileen. They settled in Perry where she worked as a secretary in the insurance industry.
In September 1967, they moved to Des Moines, where she continued to work as a secretary and went to work for the state of Iowa in the Department of Social Services, and later in the Department of Education for a total of 30 years. Eileen retired in December 2002.
Eileen was baptized into the Catholic faith June 11, 1965, which became a large active portion of her life. She particularly loved mass when it was in Latin. While in Des Moines, she was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church for over 50 years, where she was a part of the Carmelites and CHRP. Eileen was fortunate enough to see the Pope on two separate occasions, one in Iowa at Living History Farms and the other in St. Louis, Missouri. She also went on a pilgrimage to Irondale, Ala. to celebrate mass.
Eileen was a part of the Des Moines Area Quilters Guild and another quilting group, where they made many quilts for family, friends and the Ronald McDonald House in Des Moines. She also loved movies, reading and history, particularly, the World War II era and family genealogical history.
She wrote her husband’s Becker family history book. She also loved to travel, whether it was by car, plane or boat, it did not matter. She thoroughly enjoyed the exploring, adventures, and people she got to spend time with and was also an exercise advocate and tea enthusiast, with her goal being a healthy lifestyle.
She is survived by her daughter, Janis Kuhn of Fort Dodge; two grandsons, Michael Kuhn of Fort Dodge and Matthew Kuhn (Victoria Vote) of Otho; two great-grandchildren, Onyxx Michael and Ociee Christine Kuhn; a brother, Robert (Jan) Bacon of Big Bear City, California; three nieces: Laurie (Michael) Martinez of Long Beach, California, Julie (Rob) Deamer of Garden Grove, California, and Becca (Yuen) Chau of Garden Grove, California; two sisters-in-law, Clarita Roth of Spencer and Loa Becker of Maple River; four brothers-in-law: John Becker of Afton, Allen Becker of Perry, Gary (Maureen) Becker of Perry and Gene (Kaye) Becker of Pomeroy and a very dear friend, neighbor and exercise partner, Bev Skoog of Des Moines.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Michael Thomas Becker and a son in infancy, Timothy Bruce Becker.