Obituary of Susan Kay Becker

Susan K. Becker, 78, died on June 10, 2024, at Park Centre in Newton, Iowa. She was born in Iowa City, Iowa, on November 24, 1945, to parents Joseph F. (Joe) and Velva Stitt Becker, who were residing in Grinnell at the time. At age 4, Susan contracted measles, resulting in encephalitis that caused brain damage. At age 8, Susan enrolled in a private Catholic boarding school run by Franciscan nuns in Jefferson, Wisconsin. She attended St. Coletta for 10 years, returning home to her family for holidays and summer vacations. She also spent four years at Dallas Academy in Texas.

In her early 20s, Susan returned home to Newton (where her parents had moved to in 1959) and began work at Skiff Hospital as a dietary aide. Her work there provided Susan with both financial independence and much-valued social connections. She developed strong lifelong friendships with her co-workers. Susan lived independently in her own apartment within walking and biking distance of church, the hospital, and the downtown square.

Susan's Catholic faith was an anchor for her throughout her life, arising from her Catholic education. In 1959, she was part of a school group on a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France. The plane, on its return to the United States, lost an engine after leaving Dublin, Ireland, and had to make an emergency landing in Newfoundland. When asked if losing engine function while over the ocean had scared her, Susan replied, “No, I know how to swim.”

This was one of multiple incidents that Susan survived in childhood, including falling into a lake as a toddler and dog paddling back to the dock on her own, hanging upside down in a Ferris wheel cab as the attendant wandered off, and being hit by a car on her bicycle and breaking her leg when she was a teenager.

Susan was hit by a car again on her bicycle while commuting to work in 2010 and recovered from multiple leg fractures and a crushed elbow after three surgeries and several months in hospitals and rehab. Against all odds and the doctor's prediction, Susan regained significant function in the arm without the elbow.

This accident triggered Susan's retirement from the hospital and her entry into the "every day is Saturday" life. She spent her time going to church, attending the Sacred Heart Prayer Shawl group, the San Damiano secular Franciscan group, helping with summer Bible school, visiting her hospital friends, and watching "Days of Our Lives," the Hallmark Channel, Mother Angelica on EWTN, Dancing with the Stars, and reruns of "The Waltons" and "Little House on the Prairie." She enjoyed the companionship of her parakeets Clare, Francis, and Jack, and her animatronic stuffed cat, Misty Marie.

In January 2020, Susan moved to Park Centre, where she greatly enjoyed the increased opportunities for activities and social interaction. The staff there embraced her as family. This move was a lifeline for Susan during the coronavirus pandemic.

Throughout her life, Susan demonstrated remarkable independence and resilience. She was an extrovert; meeting new people and hearing their life stories brought her joy. Despite the difficulties she faced in life, she had an indomitable spirit and a sunny outlook. She was seldom seen without a big smile and was an inspiration to many. Susan's life is exemplified by this quote from her favorite saint, St. Francis: "A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows."

Susan was preceded in death by her grandparents, her parents Velva and Joe Becker, her brother Brian, and several cousins. Those left to honor Susan's memory are her sister Barbara Becker (Kate Houston), niece Brooke Smith, great-nephews Tristen Smith and Brayden Smith, a great-niece Addisyn Smith, dear first cousins, and many friends.

Heartfelt thanks to the aides, nurses, and support staff at Park Centre and at Wesley Life Hospice for their care, kindness, and friendship to Susan during her terminal cancer journey, and to friends at Sacred Heart Church, San Damiano Franciscan Fraternity, and the Newton community. Susan embraced life with a big hug and never let go until the cancer overwhelmed her body—but not her spirit.

A Mass will be held on Friday, June 14, at 2:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton, with visitation at 1:00 p.m. A social hour with light snacks will be held from 3:00-4:15 p.m., and burial at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery at 4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made in Susan’s name to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Progress Industries, Newton Public Library, or a charity of your choice.