Lenard M. Becker

Lenard M. Becker, 81, Athens, died Thursday, October 4, 2012 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born September 8, 1931 in the town of Halsey, son of the late Carl and Freida (Muenchow) Becker. On January 5, 1952 he married Anita Weiler at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. She survives. Some of his many hobbies included reading, especially Westerns and hunting magazines, fishing and hunting. Lenard trained several hound dogs which he took bear, fox and raccoon hunting with him. No matter what he was doing, he always made time for family and friends and his sense of humor and funny one-liners will be missed by all. Survivors include his wife, Anita, Athens; children, Vernell (Tom) Rausch, Athens, Ron (Susie) Becker, North Branch, Minnesota, Russ (Debbie) Becker, Mosinee, Valerie (Jim) Murray, Athens, and Randy (Karrie) Becker, Athens; grandchildren, Bradley (Dawn) Rausch, Brandon (Tanya) Rausch, Melissa (Scott) Bauman, Ariel Becker, Danielle (Mark) Aschbeck, April (Tim Koch) Becker, Amanda (Luke) Schoessler, Stephani and Joel Murray, Tiffany and Tylar Becker; 13 great-grandchildren, sister, Erna Johnson, Racine; sister-in-law, Arlys Becker, Boise, Idaho, other relatives and friends. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Carl, Lorenz and Hugo and a sister, Minnie Baker. The funeral Mass will be celebrated 1:00 p.m. Sunday, October 7, 2012 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. Rev. Charles Hiebl will preside. Friends may call Saturday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com