Judith (Judy) Ann Becker

Judith (Judy) Ann Becker died peacefully on March 10, 2025, at the age of 77, after contending with Lewy body dementia.

Judy was born in Forest City, IA, to Norman and Ruth (Vinje) Madson. She spent many of her formative years in Northfield, MN, and graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, majoring in psychology and minoring in music. As an alumna of Concordia, she served as the class agent for the class of 1969 for many years. After college, Judy attended Washington University in St. Louis, earning her Master of Social Work.

It was while she was working in her first professional job in the Chicago area that Judy attended a worship service in Oak Park, IL, and caught the eye of Mark Becker. Judy and Mark fell in love and, after a short courtship, got married. They began their married life in Coon Rapids, MN, where Judy worked for Anoka County as a social worker until their first child was born. During this time, Judy also participated in and eventually directed the choir at Faith Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids.

After 12 years, Judy and Mark moved to Woodbury, MN, where Judy continued to care for their now 3 children at home and eventually directed the choirs at their new church (Lutheran Church of Peace in Maplewood). She was often the last one chatting with people after worship –– her children would joke that she was helping lock up the building. After a 16-year hiatus, Judy dusted off her social work license and became a school social worker, working in a number of different schools over the years. She retired from Roseville Area Schools in 2007.

Judy directed choirs for 26 years. In 2005, she retired from her leadership roles, but she continued to sing and play bells in church choirs at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Stillwater and at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in St. Paul until 2020.

Judy was warm, sincere, easy to laugh, and generous of spirit. She was intellectually curious, an independent thinker, kind, and non-judgmental. She could edit anything and make it better. For much of her life, she loved coffee and crossword puzzles, storms rolling in, and the Olympic opening ceremonies. She was the top of the water ski pyramid in high school, and although she hadn’t skied in years, she got up on skis again when she was 55 years old just to say she did it. She was persistent, determined, humble, and giving.

Judy always contributed to her community. In high school, she was co-editor and in college editor of each school’s respective yearbook. Together with Mark, she participated in couples groups and sports leagues. As a young mom, she was part of babysitting co-ops, and throughout her life, she participated in women’s Bible or book studies at church. She regularly volunteered in her children’s schools and activities, gave blood and platelets, and raised money for the American Heart Association.

We who love her treasure her relationship to us: dear wife and mutual partner, supportive and caring mom, loyal and fun-loving sister, thoughtful and kind friend, grandma who loved to play games and read books –– until she couldn’t. In so many of these relationships, she was a confidant, wise advisor, and fun adventurer, and she always showed unwavering love.

Judy is survived by her beloved husband of 51 years, Mark Becker; her children, Amy Becker-Perez (Pablo Perez), Katy Becker (Zak Mohr), and Dan (Bryce) Becker; and her grandchildren, Gabriel, David, and Alejandro. She is further survived by her siblings Doris (Doug) Yock, Camilla Madson (Steve Obaid), Eric (Meg) Madson, her sister-in-law Debra Yahle, and many nieces and nephews. Judy is preceded in death by her parents, Norman and Ruth (Vinje) Madson, her stepmother, Phyllis Madson, and her brother Stephen Madson.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation that will be held on Friday, March 28, 2025, 5–7 pm at Lutheran Church of Peace, 47 Century Ave S, Maplewood, MN.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 11 am at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 700 Snelling Ave S, St. Paul, MN, with a visitation starting at 10 am. Lunch will follow the service at noon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota or Lutheran World Relief.