Arline Pearl Becker, age 98, died on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, IA. Arline, the daughter of Rudolph and Signe (Tovson) Soreide, was born July 12, 1923 in her family home outside of Ossian. She attended country school and graduated from Ossian High School, followed by cosmetology school in Waterloo.
On January 10, 1944, Arline was united in marriage with Richard Becker at the St. Francis de Sales Rectory in Ossian, Iowa. Three children were born to this union. Arline owned and operated her own beauty salon for a time, but for most of her adult life she shared the ownership of Becker Hardware with her husband, working in the store as bookkeeper and general clerk. Arline was always a very active person who worked hard and loved life. She was a very self-sufficient person who could tackle anything and fix it. Her children lovingly referred to her as their own “Heloise.” She was a gifted seamstress who sewed and tailored her own clothes, as well as those of her children. Arline was very proud of the fact that she played on the high school girls’ basketball team that went to state in 1940. Golf was a special talent of hers and she excelled at it, earning the Women’s Club Championship at South Winneshiek 9 times between the years of 1964 and 1974. That, along with achieving a hole-in-one 3 times!!
She was an independent woman which allowed her to pick up and move to Arkansas following her husband’s death in 1994. It was here that she made her home for some 25 years, where she made new friends, where she continued to play golf, and where she enjoyed card clubs with her friends. Until the age of 94, Arline was still driving the 9+ hour journey back to Ossian a couple times a year to visit family. She finally gave in to her family, and agreed to move back “home,” where she enjoyed the last 3 years in an assisted living apartment in Decorah. Arline was very proud of her Norwegian heritage, and she enjoyed her travels throughout the country, as well as numerous trips abroad to include Egypt, Kenya, and Thailand. But perhaps one of her favorite “happy places” was the cabin and time spent overlooking the Mississippi River. Above all, Grandma Arline was loved by her family, and they, in turn, felt her constant love.
Surviving Arline are her two children, Ron (Mae) Becker of Ossian, Iowa and Patty (Rick) McDonald of Bend, Oregon; six grandchildren, Chris (Shelley) Frommelt, Andrea (Chris) Williams, Emily (Justin) Gross, Ryan (Kathy) Becker, Regan (Jackie) Becker and Thomas (Emily) McDonald, and fifteen great-grandchildren.
Arline was preceded in death by her parents Rudolph and Signe (Tovson) Soreide; her husband, Richard Becker on February 18, 1994; daughter, Judy Henely in December 2006; and one brother, Edwin Soreide.
The family wishes to extend its gratitude and appreciation to the dedicated staff at Arlin Falck Assisted Living and to the Hospice nurses of Winneshiek Medical Center.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 pm with a 4:00 pm Scripture Service on Friday, March 4, 2022 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian, Iowa. There will also be a one hour visitation before mass time at the church on Saturday.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian, Iowa with Rev. Robert Gross as the celebrant.
Inurnment will follow at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery
Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Ossian, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.