James (Jim) Becker

On September 23rd, 2022, we lost our father, brother, husband, and dear friend Jim Becker.

Jim exploded into the world on July 4th, 1953. A firecracker in more ways than one, he showed energy and a financial aptitude from an early age. Jim found opportunity wherever he looked: gathering foul balls and collecting garter snakes for 10 cents a piece, charging interest on the nickel loans he gave out to his siblings, and selling candy from the corner store at a generous markup. With his earnings, Jim built and raced Soap box derby cars at LeHillier. He could be found on idle Saturdays, rebuilding the car after the previous weekend's race, trying to eek out a little more speed out of the tiny vehicle.

Tended by time, his hobbies of childhood matured into full-blown passions. Jim became a voracious lover of motorcycles, racing flat tracks and trials throughout his life. He loved nature too and wandered his way through every duck and goose slough in the southern counties, enjoying each moment with close friends, as they shivered together in the early Minnesota dawn.

But Jim's real passion was people. Softspoken and earnest, he was an easy man to love. After graduating from Mankato High School in 1971, he married his sweetheart Donna Jordan. They brought two sons into the world, Matthew and Jason. The two boys took on their father's talents, observing as he took on endless mechanical projects— tearing apart a motorcycle engine, installing an HVAC system, or rewiring their old Nicollet farmhouse. Whatever the task, Jim remained undaunted—patiently and methodically, he would figure it out.

When his four-year-old son packaged himself in a cardboard box day after day and placed himself on the front step waiting for his father to return home from work, he would never cease to act surprised and delighted at the new present at his door. His beloved wife of over 20 years, Donna, passed at an early age after a battle with cancer.

Jim found love a second time with his wife, Shelley (Rinehart) Linder, and her daughter, Kirsten. Jim was gentle and kind, and they fell easily in love. He brought to these new relationships the same care and humble patience with which he approached all things. As he put it, "I've never raised a daughter, but I can show her how her mother should be loved."

The two deeply appreciated the curious paradox that was Jim Becker. He was one of the most successful salesmen and managers in his industry, yet he built his career on a reputation of unwavering ethics and trust. He loved racing, excelled in speed and competition, but was almost grandfatherly in his approach to driving and teaching his daughter to drive. Jim was frugal in making small purchases but deeply generous in the times that it mattered most. He was the friend and family member to be trusted— a man who would easily give straightforward counsel on buying a home or the merits of a vintage trial motorcycle purchase.

As his three children grew up and moved away, Jim and Shelley moved too. His sense of adventure remained— always unafraid to pull up stakes and search out new experiences with his love, Shelley. He picked up new hobbies along the way, skiing and horseback riding in the Rockies. He spent afternoons in nature, learning about forest maintenance and prairie restoration. Across these travels, Jim took care to make sure that his friends and family were welcome to join them along the way.

In his mid-fifties, Jim was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. His movement slowed and his balance ebbed, but he bore his disease without a single utterance of complaint. He continued to cross-country ski, walk and cycle as best as his condition would allow. In 2020, Jim was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia- a neurodegenerative condition linked to Parkinson's disease. Those closest to him in his last two years witnessed the profound psychological difficulty of Lewy Body Dementia- but we will never forget the bright moments: Jim's unwavering kindness to his grandchildren, his deep love of all things sweet, and the gentle manner that never left him.

He is survived by his wife Shelley Becker, his three children Matthew (Laurie) Becker, Jason (Bethany) Becker, Kirsten (Conor) Blanchet and his gaggle of grandchildren: Jordan, Jack, Sophia, Halle, Luke, Soren, Leif, and Vilde. His four siblings: David (Jan Bertness) Becker, Sue (Ron) Becker-Graham, Jan (Paul) Hunter, and Cindy Ely.

Jim is predeceased by his wife Donna Jordan Becker, his parents Delores and George Becker, sister-in-law Shari Steinbach, nephew Casey Ely and a bevy of incredible hunting dogs and horses that loved him well.
Please join us to celebrate Jim's life on Saturday, November 5th at the Mankato Golf Club from 1-4 pm.
Donations may be given to the Lewy Body Dementia Association ( www.lbda.org ) in his name.