Paul A. Becker

Paul A. Becker, 81, passed away on February. 1, 2020, with his family by his side.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, 519 Raymond Street, Bismarck, with Msgr. Thomas Richter officiating.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck. A rosary/vigil service will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at the ND Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Paul, son of Anton and Alicia (Bitz) Becker was born April 3, 1938. Paul grew up in Burnstad, ND where he began working at a young age on his father’s farm with his four sisters and six brothers. He graduated high school in 1955 and started teaching 13 students in a tiny farm shed outside of Napoleon.

Feeling ready to leave home, Paul moved to Bismarck where he attended Capital Commercial College. On November 20, 1962 he married the love of his life Lavata (Wald) Becker.

After college, he joined the National Guard and served for one year. When he got back from service, he started a sales career working at JC Penny’s Company as a sales representative. Paul held many jobs that helped him become a great salesman. In 1974 he and his wife owned Salon Consultants. He considered it a family business as his daughters also worked with them.

In the summer Paul could be found on the fairway at Apple Creek or any green he could get on. He loved to cheer on his Twins and Vikings. He spent time traveling with his family and teaching them the importance of building memories together

Paul’s greatest accomplishment was his children and his biggest role model was his wife, Lavata.  His greatest God given gift was his ability to connect with people—he was an emotional intelligence pioneer.  Quick with a compliment and providing an ear when needed; Paul understood people and made everyone feel important; he was always present. His life was driven by his Catholic faith.

Paul is survived by his wife Lavata (Wald) Becker; daughters Gina (Kevin) Norton, Paula (Greg) Sorensen, Jo (Mic) Puklich; brothers Leonard (Carole) Becker, Anton (Marvie) Becker, Leo Becker; sisters Betty Schumacher, Helen Schumacher, and Alice (Gerald) Regner, sisters-in-law Tillie Becker and Frances Becker; brother-in-law Leo Ibach; his grandchildren Brianne (Isaac) Lang, Brittany (Drew) Zahn, Adam Berger, Austin Berger, Ben Sorensen, Emma Puklich, Jack Sorensen, and Luke Puklich; and his great-grandchildren Peyton, Lucy, Greyson, Katalina, Maximilian, and Madden and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Anton and Alicia Becker; brothers Joe Becker, Peter Becker, George Becker; sister Anna Marie; brothers-in-law Kenny Schumacher and Tony Schumacher; sisters-in-law Frances Becker and Helen Becker.