Odilia Becker

Odilia "Tillie" Becker, who touched the lives of many, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2025, at the age of 90. She was reunited with her Lord and Savior, leaving behind a legacy of love, compassion, and unwavering faith.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00am, Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 1919 N 2nd St, Bismarck. 

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00pm, with Rosary being said at 7:00 pm, Tuesday, January 28, 2025, a followed by a Vigil Service, singing and memory sharing at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck.

There will be a burial procession and service immediately after the Mass, followed by a luncheon in the church basement. 

The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed on the Church of Corpus Christi YouTube channel

Born on September 3, 1934 in Shell Butte Township, Logan County, ND, Tillie was one of ten children to Mike and Johanna (Schwartzenberger) Mitzel. She attended school in Napoleon, ND and during high school, Tillie became an assistant editor/proofreader at the Napoleon Homestead. She graduated Napoleon High School Valedictorian in 1952. Tillie then attended Valley City State Teachers College where she attained her Certificate in Teaching.

Tillie and George A. Becker were united in marriage on June 22, 1953. For the first few years, they farmed while Tillie continued to work at The Homestead and taught for several years at rural Logan County schools. In 1963, George became the butcher at the Napoleon Red Owl store and in 1967, George and Tillie purchased the store, which they operated for nearly 15 years. After all seven of their children had graduated, they sold their business and moved to Bismarck, ND where Tillie was employed with the Office of the Secretary of State until her retirement at age 65. In her retirement, she volunteered as an office assistant at The Church of Corpus Christi, her local Catholic parish, where soon she was offered a position and worked until the remarkable age of 77. 

Tillie, a devout Catholic, volunteered to teach Catechism classes and was the Treasurer for the Napoleon St. Philip Neri Catholic Church for many years. An exceptional cook, she loved socializing and entertaining. Her German heritage influenced some of her specialties, including küchen, knoephla and kraut, rivela soup, German potato salad and coleslaw, and her homemade pickles. Tillie and George had an open-door policy, and their delicious food was always available to anyone who visited. After every Sunday Mass, they hosted soup and dungus at their home. 

Tillie and George were very active and enjoyed bowling, golfing, camping, fishing, gardening and canning, and they were always up for a card game, especially Pinochle. Tillie’s competitive spirit was infectious, and she took great pride in achieving a high score of 287 in league bowling, an activity she and George continued well into the later years. They were also incredibly proud of their children’s and grandchildren’s athletic and musical achievements. They traveled extensively across the US to support their loved ones in their many pursuits. Nothing made Tillie happier than having her children and grandchildren filling her home with music and laughter. 

Tillie is survived by all seven of her children: Georgia Bedwell, Jovita Becker, Jeff (Sheila) Becker, Jack Becker, Greg (Claire) Becker, Darcy (Carlos Ortiz) Becker, and Richard (Virginia) Becker; her grandchildren: Trent Mock, Preston Wentz, Chelsey Wentz, Jesse (Brittany) Becker, Graham (Mia) Becker, Andrew Becker, Cora Beth Becker, Samuel Becker, Nathan Becker, Marielle Becker, Hannah Claire Becker and Christian Becker; great-grandchildren: Sawyer Becker, Sadie Becker, Zariah Wentz and Harlan Becker; step-grandchildren: Becky (Bill) Gayle, Audra (Miles) Bryan and Alexandra (Cole) Williams; step-great-grandchildren: Addison Bryan and Lucas and Elizabeth Williams, Kaycee (Dakota) Dockins, Sydney (Grant) Seebeck and Lucas Psanis; great-great-grandchildren: Walter and Elijah Dockins, and Dayton Seebeck; brother, Jerry (Marilou) Mitzel; sisters and brothers-in-law: Marlys Mitzel, Marvie Becker, Lavata Becker, Leonard and Carole Becker, Betty Schumacher, and Alice and Jerry Regner. 

Tillie was preceded in death by her husband, George; one son-in-law, Byron Bedwell; three brothers: Richard, Sebastian and Mike Mitzel; five sisters: Victoria and Mary Mitzel, Johanna Sanders, Margaret Jangula and Monica Lubbers; sisters and brothers-in-law: Mardine Mitzel, Byron Lubbers, Marie Mitzel, AnnMarie and Leo Ibach, Leo and Francis Becker, Joe and Francis Becker, Pete and Helen Becker, Anton Becker, Paul Becker, Helen and Tony Schumacher and Kenny Schumacher; two nephews: Robert (Bob) Mitzel and Blair Mitzel; one niece, Donna Becker Zimmerman.

Tillie’s family is greatly appreciative of the staff at Edgewood Village Assisted Living and Memory Care for their exceptional care.