Nancy Elaine (Hebbeln) Becker was an extraordinary woman who leaves a legacy of love and perseverance to all she knew. She was born on Wednesday, October 26, 1932 in Iowa to her beloved daddy, Frank Hebbeln, and mother, Gladys Siefers. After her daddy got remarried to her step-mother, Helen, she moved from Petersville to the “big” town Delmar, Iowa in the 7th grade and met her lifelong best friend and husband, Duane Becker. Who knew that becoming sweethearts in high school would lead to an adventure of a lifetime? Her adventure included 72 years of marriage with “that Becker boy,” as Frank used to call him. She is survived by her devoted husband, partner, and best friend, Duane, who was her steadfast primary caregiver in the last years of her life.
Nancy graduated high school in 1951 in Delmar, Iowa with Duane, in a class of 17 students. After high school Duane and Nancy got married. She went to cosmetology school and in her later years enjoyed painting nails and braiding hair for her granddaughter.
Duane and Nancy welcomed three children to their family in the 1950s- oldest son Ed (“Eddie Lee”) Becker, of Shawnee, and twin girls, Susan (“Susie”) Loftus of Leavenworth, and Sandra (“Sandy”) Becker, of Lansing. She worked a variety of jobs, including factory work and sales, before retiring on her farm in Lansing. If you asked her where “home” was, she’d always answer Iowa, although she had been a Kansas resident since 1969 and spent many years enjoying building up her landscape and gardens on the farm. Once the grass started growing you could bet the best place to catch her was out in the yard on her John Deere!
Anyone who knew her, knows that although she barely squeaked in at an even five feet tall, she was a firecracker! She could outwork anyone she met, sometimes working out in the yard until she could barely stand. One of her favorite roles in life was to be a grandmother. She was grandma to Hollie Mae Becker, stationed in Bavaria, Germany; Hillary Hance of Alabama; Leo Becker of Leavenworth; Mitchell Loftus; Jordan Loftus of Lenexa; and Nolan Loftus of Shawnee. She was also great-grandma to Xander, Kloey, Golda, Oliver, Viola, Theodore, Christopher, and baby Eloise who just arrived on May 19.
She endured many struggles growing up just after the Great Depression. She spent her early years with her grandparents, Rudolph and Rosa, and her aunt Marcy, whom she adored. Nancy still spoke fondly of Marcy, who died in 1942, eight decades later. Besides being very poor, she spent some time in an orphanage. The hard and transformative experiences in her childhood pushed her to be a hard worker later in life, and she enjoyed giving her children and grandchildren things and opportunities she never had, such as a college education.
Nancy never liked the water- she never learned to swim- and she detested milk, after having to drink powdered milk growing up. She liked to draw, to watch her cows in the pasture, and she really enjoyed spending time with her family. She also enjoyed traveling- she made trips all over the US and also to Mexico, Jamaica, Germany, Austria, and Italy.
Nancy went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 15, 2023, leaving those who loved her sad beyond measure. She will be remembered for her tenacity, her strong opinions, her generosity, and just how fiercely she loved her family, especially her sweetheart, Duane.
Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
