In Memory Of
Leila Rose Becker
1936
2016
Leila Rose Becker
July 13, 1936 — August 22, 2016
Leila Rose Ellwein Becker of Topeka, Kansas joined her Heavenly Father on August 22, 2016, after a year-long battle with lung cancer, surrounded at home by her loving family.
The daughter of Edmund and Hildegard (Keller) Ellwein, Leila lived on the farm where she was born in Freeman, South Dakota, and lived there until she married in 1956. She was born on her Grandmother Rosina Ellwein's birthday, so her grandmother chose her name-- Leila Rose. She was preceded in death by her parents, and sisters Lucille, Ramona, Renee and Sharon.
Raised in the Lutheran Missouri Synod, Leila was baptized, confirmed and married in what was known as the Heilbronn Church near Freeman. She attended first grade at St. Paul's Lutheran School in Freeman, across the street from her grandparents' home. She spent the remainder of grade school in a one-room country school. She graduated from Freeman High School in 1955.
She is survived by the love of her life, Harley Edwin Becker. The young couple married on March 4, 1956. Leila and Harley lived in Manhattan, Kansas while Harley completed his military service with the Army at Fort Riley and attended Kansas State University. She worked for 5 years at the Irwin Army Hospital. Together, they attended St. Luke's Lutheran Church, where they both sang in the choir and she taught Sunday School. In August, 1961, they moved to Topeka. Leila and Harley were blessed with 2 children, son Brian in 1959 and daughter Michele in 1961. After 8 months as a stay-at-home mom, Leila worked as a secretary in various departments at Kansas Neurological Institute for 40 years.
Leila's life was characterized by a spirit of service to others by the giving of her time and talents. This wonderful spirit was demonstrated by her work for the church. As a charter member of Christ Lutheran Church in Topeka, she enjoyed singing in the choir for more than 40 years. She also was involved in the Lutheran Women's Missionary League and the Altar Guild. Perhaps most notably, she spent countless hours in her work for the Evangelism Board, welcoming new members to the Christ Lutheran family, characterized by her warm and friendly smile.
Leila had a life-long love of flowers and all things in nature. She enjoyed feeding birds, watching the antics of the squirrels trying to get to the bird feeders, and the little bunnies that scampered across the yard, even if they did eat some of her flowers! She also enjoyed crocheting, reading, cooking and baking. But the greatest joy in her life was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Anyone who knew her can attest to the dedication that she had for her family through both the happy times and the difficult moments. Her positive and steady influence helped them develop into the people they are today. She felt especially privileged to have lived long enough to see four great-grandchildren and to help care for them and play with them.
Her greatest desire is to spend eternity in heaven with all of her loved ones.
In addition to her husband, Leila is survived by son Brian Becker (Connie) of LaCanda, CA; daughter Michele Skinner (Scott) of Topeka; sister Millie Bowman, Oakdale, CA; brother Myron Ellwein (Neva), Delano, MN ; brother-in-law Stewart Smith, Valley Springs, SD; grandchildren Megan Laha (Jared), Erika Skinner (James Garcia), Keith Becker, Jeffrey Becker, Kristen Becker and great-grandchildren Evan Garcia, Avery Laha, Parker Laha and Kinsley Laha, and also many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be at Christ Lutheran Church on Thursday, August 25, 2016 from 6:30-8:00 pm. The funeral service will be at 10:00 am on August 26, 2016 at Christ Lutheran Church. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to Christ Lutheran Church, 3509 SW Burlingame Rd, Topeka, 66611 or Midland Hospice Care, 200 SW Frazier, Topeka, 66606.
To share a special memory with Leila's family, please visit the guestbook below.
The daughter of Edmund and Hildegard (Keller) Ellwein, Leila lived on the farm where she was born in Freeman, South Dakota, and lived there until she married in 1956. She was born on her Grandmother Rosina Ellwein's birthday, so her grandmother chose her name-- Leila Rose. She was preceded in death by her parents, and sisters Lucille, Ramona, Renee and Sharon.
Raised in the Lutheran Missouri Synod, Leila was baptized, confirmed and married in what was known as the Heilbronn Church near Freeman. She attended first grade at St. Paul's Lutheran School in Freeman, across the street from her grandparents' home. She spent the remainder of grade school in a one-room country school. She graduated from Freeman High School in 1955.
She is survived by the love of her life, Harley Edwin Becker. The young couple married on March 4, 1956. Leila and Harley lived in Manhattan, Kansas while Harley completed his military service with the Army at Fort Riley and attended Kansas State University. She worked for 5 years at the Irwin Army Hospital. Together, they attended St. Luke's Lutheran Church, where they both sang in the choir and she taught Sunday School. In August, 1961, they moved to Topeka. Leila and Harley were blessed with 2 children, son Brian in 1959 and daughter Michele in 1961. After 8 months as a stay-at-home mom, Leila worked as a secretary in various departments at Kansas Neurological Institute for 40 years.
Leila's life was characterized by a spirit of service to others by the giving of her time and talents. This wonderful spirit was demonstrated by her work for the church. As a charter member of Christ Lutheran Church in Topeka, she enjoyed singing in the choir for more than 40 years. She also was involved in the Lutheran Women's Missionary League and the Altar Guild. Perhaps most notably, she spent countless hours in her work for the Evangelism Board, welcoming new members to the Christ Lutheran family, characterized by her warm and friendly smile.
Leila had a life-long love of flowers and all things in nature. She enjoyed feeding birds, watching the antics of the squirrels trying to get to the bird feeders, and the little bunnies that scampered across the yard, even if they did eat some of her flowers! She also enjoyed crocheting, reading, cooking and baking. But the greatest joy in her life was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Anyone who knew her can attest to the dedication that she had for her family through both the happy times and the difficult moments. Her positive and steady influence helped them develop into the people they are today. She felt especially privileged to have lived long enough to see four great-grandchildren and to help care for them and play with them.
Her greatest desire is to spend eternity in heaven with all of her loved ones.
In addition to her husband, Leila is survived by son Brian Becker (Connie) of LaCanda, CA; daughter Michele Skinner (Scott) of Topeka; sister Millie Bowman, Oakdale, CA; brother Myron Ellwein (Neva), Delano, MN ; brother-in-law Stewart Smith, Valley Springs, SD; grandchildren Megan Laha (Jared), Erika Skinner (James Garcia), Keith Becker, Jeffrey Becker, Kristen Becker and great-grandchildren Evan Garcia, Avery Laha, Parker Laha and Kinsley Laha, and also many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be at Christ Lutheran Church on Thursday, August 25, 2016 from 6:30-8:00 pm. The funeral service will be at 10:00 am on August 26, 2016 at Christ Lutheran Church. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to Christ Lutheran Church, 3509 SW Burlingame Rd, Topeka, 66611 or Midland Hospice Care, 200 SW Frazier, Topeka, 66606.
To share a special memory with Leila's family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Leila Rose Becker, please visit our flower store.
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