Darrell Wayne Becker, 65, of West Point, Iowa, loving husband, father, and friend passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday September 13th surrounded by his family.
Darrell was born the son of Leo and Elizabeth “Betty” (Freesmeier) Becker on June 16th, 1958, in Fort Madison, Iowa. As a young boy he helped on the Freesmeier family dairy farm, spent time with his dad and brothers detailing and repairing cars in the auto body shop, and playing basketball with neighborhood friends. His first job was working at the gas station in West Point. He graduated from Fort Madison High School in 1976.
He met the love of his life, Karen at a wedding and asked her to dance. They married on May 5th 1984, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point, Iowa. They enjoyed traveling, music, and 41 years together. Family meant more to him than anything. He always looked forward to holidays and reunions with the Becker, Freesmeier, McKneeley, and Garrels families.
Little did he know, his career and skills would take him near and far. Over his life span Darrell worked at Exide, Case, Stuke Plastics, and he retired from Siemens-Gamesa. He was trained in Denmark and then went on to train others in Canada and China.
Darrell was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan, St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, and Buffalo Bills football fan. Darrell was a walking sports statistician and could give you stats on a team or any athlete. Darrell also gave back to the community. He was a Knights of Columbus member, St. Mary’s Fall Festival chairman, West Point Sweet Corn Festival chairman, and former West Point Community Club president. He also donated his time to Marquette and Holy Trinity Catholic Schools.
Above all, Darrell was an authentic, hard-working, and friendly person. No one was a stranger and he always had a smile on his face.
Darrell is survived by his wife: Karen (Garrels) Becker; two daughters: Aleena (Aaron) Garr and Mallory (Kevin Lopez) Becker; mother: Elizabeth “Betty” Becker; siblings: Roger (Rita) Becker, Ronnie (Deb) Becker, Sharon (Dale) Menke, Susan (Scott) Strothman, and Sandy (Stan) Seager. As well as his wife’s side of the family: Sherri (Jerri) Hite, Cindy Garrels, Kenny (Sandy) Garrels, John (Sue) Garrels, and many nieces and nephews.
Darrell was preceded in death by his father: Leo Becker; sister-in-law: Lori Becker; brother-in-law: Dave Garrels, and nephew: Travis Hite.
The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, September 17, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, where a Knights of Columbus rosary will be recited at 1:30 p.m. and a Christian wake service will be held at 3:00 p.m.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 18, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, West Point.
Memorials have been established in his memory for West Point Fire and Rescue, West Point Public Library Foundation or Holy Trinity Catholic School Foundation.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
