Edna F Becker

Edna Becker, 96, of Waco, passed away November 12, 2021 in the presence of family at Providence Hospital. The viewing and rosary will be held at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home on November 15 at 6:00 pm. Funeral mass will take place on November 16 at St. Catherine's Chapel at 10:00 am, followed by the burial at Waco Memorial Park Cemetery. Edna was born May 11, 1925 in Westphalia, Texas. She was preceded in death by her high school sweetheart and beloved husband of 56 years, Fred Becker. Edna received her nursing degree in 1945, the couple married in 1946, and after Fred's service in the Marines and several moves within Texas and Louisiana, they settled in Waco in 1957 to raise their family. Edna and Fred loved to travel, often celebrating anniversaries with train adventures, and were entrepreneurs several times over. Edna is survived by her four children: Dr. Gary Becker and his wife Jeanne of Waco; Dr. Sandra Becker and her husband Dr. Stephen Ryan of Paoli, PA; Dr. Patricia Becker, wife of the late Dr. Richard Jurek, of San Marcos; and Susan Reeves and her husband Doug of Dallas. Edna is also survived by her 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren, who refer to her alternately as “Grandma” or “Mema.” Edna called her life as a stay-at-home mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother her “greatest vocation.” Edna is known for having a special spark of positivity and humor, and a deep and abiding faith. She will be remembered for her love for others that she exhibited in many ways, especially through her years of volunteer work at Providence Hospital, visiting nursing home residents, and her always-punctual birthday cards to her family and friends. Her green thumb was second to none - she nurtured a variety of roses and was active in the Waco Garden Club. Much to her family's delight, she played both the harmonica and the accordion - which she learned from her father as a young girl - well into her nineties, and her Thanksgiving stuffing, German chocolate cake, and fruit cobbler are legendary. Edna was a huge Baylor sports fan (Go Lady Bears!) and organized her schedule around game viewings. She loved music and dancing, and traveled near and far to attend the graduations, baptisms, and weddings of family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Westphalia Church of the Visitation rebuilding fund at https://abundant.co/cofvwestphalia/give and Providence Hospital of Waco. The family invites you to share a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com