JoAnn Becker

 JoAnn Joyce Becker

JoAnn Joyce Becker was born July 21, 1937, to John and Anna (Arbeiter) Heckel. She died peacefully, at home, on Thursday, September 3, 2026.   Funeral services will be Saturday,  September 12th at 10:30 AM at the First Church of God in Marion.  Visitation will begin at 9:00AM Saturday at the Church.

JoAnn was baptized July 20, 1947, in Marion Lake by Reverend Ayotte J. William. She attended Wayside District 11 country school through 8th grade and graduated from Marion High School in 1955. On June 26, 1955, JoAnn was united in marriage to Harlan Becker. They established a home in Marion, where they raised six children.

A woman of deep faith, a strong work ethic, and immense devotion to her family, JoAnn lived a life rooted in love and service. From an early age, she discovered a talent for numbers, embarking on a lifelong career in bookkeeping. She provided accounting services for her husband’s construction business, the Marion Elevator, and Dr. Haiar’s dental practice with skill and dedication.

Beyond her work, JoAnn’s greatest joy was her family. She cherished time with her grandchildren, always ready to sit down for a board or card game. While she rarely claimed victory, her humor shone through in her gentle reasoning: “Someone has to lose.”

Her home was filled with love and the irresistible aroma of freshly baked goods. Celebrated for her cooking, JoAnn was famous among family and friends for her cinnamon rolls and bread, peach pie, her sister Melba’s special pickle recipe, and her signature Hydrox dessert. JoAnn possessed the gift of hospitality and frequently hosted meals for family and friends, often after church on Sundays. She maintained close relationships with her siblings and relatives, never missing an opportunity to attend family gatherings or reunions, and she often opened her home as a welcoming place to stay.

The family has many wonderful memories of traveling to Branson, MO, for 16 years. It was incredibly important to both Harlan and JoAnn that the family create lasting, close relationships with one another—a wish that, over time, has beautifully proven to be true. Last year, the Branson, MO, trip was resurrected to provide those same bonding opportunities for the next generation.

At the center of JoAnn’s life was her unshakable Christian faith. She devoted much of her time to the First Church of God, serving on the Board of Ministries of Finance and Properties, teaching toddler Sunday school, helping with Bible school and kids’ club, and singing in the choir. Her children fondly remember her reading her Bible, faithfully attending and hosting Bible studies, and constantly lifting others in prayer. Her deepest wish and ultimate prayer was that every member of her family would know salvation.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Donnice (Jim) Preheim, Barron (Lucia) Becker, Tamara (Brian) Stern, Rachelle (Bruce) Haase, Joan Hofer, and Amy Jackson; 18 grandchildren: John (Anita) Preheim, Terry (Jennifer) Preheim, Laura (Jeremy) Wolbrink, Bob (Becky) Preheim, Ginger Robinson, Brandon (Jena) Becker, Jared (Faith) Becker, Alisha Hartmann, Morgan (Nate) Auer, Nicholas (Emily) Stern, Kristin (Drew) Neuville, Jaime (Sean) Schwartz, Lance (Brandi) Haase, Austin (Savanna) Hofer, Alex (Delaney) Hofer, Gary (Emerson) Jackson Jr., Isaiah Jackson, and Alexa Jackson; 33 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Marlys Nelson.

Preceding her in death were her parents, John and Anna Heckel; her husband, Harlan Becker; her daughter-in-law, Janelle Becker; her son-in-law, Gary Jackson Sr., and her siblings: Melba Schmidt, Ellsworth Heckel, Alvin Heckel, and LaVonne Schrag.