Dorothy May Peterson Becker, 94, of Farmersburg, Iowa passed away Thursday, March 12, 2026 at Crossing Rivers Health in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
Dorothy May Becker was born September 13, 1931 in the City of Monona, Clayton County, Iowa to her parents Eldon Freddie Harold Kurth and his wife Ella Henrietta Anna Koopmann Kurth.
Dorothy was baptized February 21, 1932 by Pastor R. B. Gorten. Her sponsor was her grandmother Mrs. Johanna Koopmann at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Postville, Iowa.
Dorothy was confirmed June 29, 1946 by Reverend Richard Steege at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Farmersburg, Iowa.
Dorothy received her education in rural country schools of Gunder, Gooding School of Farmersburg and the City School of Farmersburg. Dorothy graduated from eighth grade at the Gooding School.
On October 12, 1949 Dorothy married Harold Laverne Bergan Peterson at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Farmersburg. To this union six children were born. The couple farmed and lived on the same farm for fifty years. They later divorced.
Dorothy married Joseph Boniface Becker September 28, 2002 at the Norway Lutheran Church rural St. Olaf, Iowa. She then moved to her husband’s farm near Churchtown rural Lansing.
Dorothy started Sunday School at Marion Lutheran Church in Gunder, Iowa. On to Sunday School, Bible School, confirmation school, junior choir, confirmation and Luther League at St. John’s. While living in Farmersburg she attended Sunday School and church services regularly. Dorothy sang solos “Oh Holy Night” and “Under the Stars” for Christmas Eve services at St. John’s.
Dorothy worked as a hired girl for her Aunt Gertrude Koopmann, Leola Kurth, Viola Mueller, Harold and Helen Lenth. She also done a lot of things for her elderly country neighbor Cora Morch on threshing days.
Dorothy was very active at Norway Lutheran Church. She taught Sunday School, Bible Sang in the parish choir at both Norway and Marion, served on church council, was President of the E.Y.C.A. for a total of ten years. It was Dorothy who started the ladies to making quilts, she also furnished her garden flowers for on the altar for Sunday services. Dorothy was the Rosette maker for E.Y.C. A. for many years. She demonstrated making rosettes one year at Uffa-Da Days. Another year it was canning tomatoes.
She was very active in Clayton County Lutheran World Ministry “CCLAM”. Was treasurer for Shepherd of the Hills.
Dorothy done a lot of volunteer work. She was as a member of Elkader V.F.W. Auxiliary #4565 and was a past president of the Auxiliary. She was also a 2nd year Vice President of the District one year and the Poppy Chairman for many years. Dorothy sang solos for weddings, funerals and community events. She sang in nursing homes with a friend in the community. Dorothy sang and yodeled on chartered trips for Jacques seed corn people while flying over the U.S.A. She also sang and yodeled at the Konas Lagoon Hotel in Hawaii, U.S.A. and at dances at the Matter’s Ballroom in Decorah, Dreamland Pavilion, and The Old Store in Rossville.
Dorothy took several people to doctor appointments in West Union, Iowa City, Prairie du Chien and La Crosse. Dorothy sold nursery stock and was a Stanley Home Products Demonstrator and sales person for fifty-five years.
Dorothy always had a large garden, an orchard, grapes and varieties of raspberries which her kids helped her take care of while they were growing up. She canned over 1000 quarts of fruits and vegetables each year. Dorothy had many flowers, annuals and perennials as well as a large lawn. She raised mostly White Plymouth Rock chickens for eggs and meat.
Dorothy was capable and did almost everything there was to do on the farm. She did enjoy painting inside and out. Dorothy joined Our Savior’s Lutheran in Lansing. She sang in the choir, took part in circle meetings, furnished her garden flowers for the altar. Dorothy made and furnished all the Rosettes for the E.Y.C. A. bake sales. Seven and a half years after Joe’s passing Dorothy moved to her home in Strawberry Point.
Dorothy is survived by her son, Allen (Julie) Peterson of Burnsville, Minnesota, Darrell Peterson of Marion, Dennis Peterson of Cedar Rapids and Julie (Paul) Schlake of Farmersburg; son-in-law, Carl Wood of Strawberry Point; grandchildren, Melissa Medina, Sara Kodsi, Andrea Coe, Tracy Wilker, Dan Wood ,Carolyn Wood, Tim Wood, Travis Brink , Nick Brink , April Brumm, Tasha Peterson and Tonya Peterson; great grandchildren; sisters, Elaine Doerring of Manchester, Marilyn Hackett of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin and La Vonne German of Postville; brother, Eldon Kurth of Monona; brother-in-law, Glenn Walley of Ripon; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Dorothy is also survived by her stepchildren, Joanie Kramer of Lansing, Jeanne (John) Colsch of Hokah, Minnesota, Kevin (Sandy) Becker of Harpers Ferry, Ken (Denise) Becker of Lansing, Joe (Kristen) Becker of Greene, Dan (Kerri) Becker of New Albin and Cullen (Denise) Becker of Lansing; many step grandchildren and many great grandchildren.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Becker; first husband, Harold Laverne Bergan Peterson; parents, Eldon and Ella Kurth; son, Arlyn Keith Peterson; daughter, Darlene Ann Wood; sisters, Eldonna Looby, Marlene Doerring and Gale Bissell; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mabel Bergen Peterson and Tom Peterson; brothers-in-law, Lyle Looby, Herb Hackett, John “Jack” Bissell, Rollie Doerring and James Doerring; and sisters-in-law Linda Kurth, Bernadine Peterson; step-daughter, Mary Kay Colsch.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, March 20, 2026 at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Monona, Iowa. There will also be a one hour visitation before services at the church on Saturday.
Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at Norway Lutheran Church in St. Olaf, Iowa with Rev. Marshall Hahn as the officiant.
Burial will be held at Gooding Cemetery, rural Farmersburg, Iowa following the luncheon.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Monona, Iowa is assisting the family with services.