Edward A. Becker, 88, of rural Chadron, died Jan. 8, 2018, at Highland Park Care Center in Alliance, where he had been a resident since suffering a stroke on July 30, 2017.
Ed was born on April 24, 1929, in Alliance to Edward M. and Thelma (Zoble) Becker. He subsequently became the big brother to Arlene Minor, Maxine Morris and Charlene Hebbert. Three other sisters, Irene Lowe, Darlene Bonifield and Delores Valentine, preceded him in death, as well as his parents and two brothers, who died as babies, and a baby grandson, Joseph Cawiezell.
Ed attended country school near their Ashby ranch and then attended St. Agnes Academy, where he played football and basketball before graduating in 1948. Following graduation, he joined his dad in ranching.
On July 14, 1953, he and Sally Lowe were married at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Alliance. He then became associated with Lowe Cattle Company. Ranching was his first priority in life, but he enjoyed rodeo as a pastime. Calf roping was always his best event, but he took a turn at riding barebacks and saddle broncs and even bull dogging. At the age of 30, he began tripping steers. He qualified for the NFR in steer roping six times. In 1973, he won the Average in Laramie, Wyoming, the first year the finals were held there.
In 1983, after Dean and Nancy were well established at Lowe Cattle Company, Ed and Sally bought a place east of Chadron. He was able to rope more, and they both began to enter Old Timers Rodeos all over the West. In 1989, they went to Arizona for two weeks and in time bought their own place, rodeoed, made new friends and enjoyed the warm weather — but were always home by calving time, just in case he was needed.
His family includes his wife of 64 years, Sally, and daughters, Brenda Booth of Casper, Wyoming, Joan (Bill) Bolln of Chadron, Nancy (Dean) Edelman, who live on and manage the family ranches in Ashby, Luanne (Chuck) Cawiezell of Lingle, Wyoming, Julie Roland of Tyndall, South Dakota, and Kerry Becker and her partner Michelle Wright of Riverton, Wyoming. He was always so proud of all his girls because as he told people, “They all know how to work.” They also raised his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom he enjoyed as well, Cory and Mark Brennan and their children, Collin and Rylee; Kelli and Jack Rhembrandt and three boys, Tameron and Dillan Sayaloune and Blake Rhembrandt; Traci and Butch Hollibaugh and daughter Laney Klemke; Dean and Ann Lehmkuhler and their girls Eva and Abby, of Lander, Wyoming; Andrew Roland, USMC, Indian Head, Maryland; Jill and Trevor Eppert and TC; and Jake Edelman of Ashby.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Grant County Rescue or Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607. Online condolences may be shared at batesgould.com.
Services will be at noon on Saturday, Jan. 13, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Chadron with Father Tim Stoner officiating. Bates-Gould Funeral Home, Alliance, is in charge of arrangements.
