Jan. 18, 1929-
Sept. 21, 2014
Marjorie Lavergne Becker passed away peacefully at 85 in Moscow, Idaho. Marjorie is preceded in death by her husband, A. Gerald Becker (73), and by her son, Stephen A. Becker, (52). She is survived by her son, Gerald (Bridgette) of Troy, Idaho; her granddaughter, Amanda Dau (Eric) of Portland, Ore.; grandson Andrew Becker (Betsy) of Moscow, Idaho; along with her great-grandchildren, Bella Becker, Eva Becker, Aaron Becker, Daniel Becker and Oscar Dau.
Born in Chicago, Ill., she was the only child of Allan Joze and Marie Henriole. During World War II, her father moved the family north of Chicago to Arlington Heights. She loved the outdoors, spending many joyful summers as a young girl camping and boating on lakes. Marjorie graduated from Arlington Heights Township High School in 1947. She was given a scholarship to attend Central Conservatory of Chicago, a Christ-centered school of music. It was her dream to be an opera singer. Marjorie auditioned for, and was accepted into, the Conservatory's elite 9-member ensemble. This enabled her to travel to many states with the ensemble group, singing at events and town halls. While at the Conservatory, she was also a soprano in their a capella choir, traveling with them to Chicago and many nearby towns. She also learned to play the piano while attending the Conservatory.
After her father passed away, Marjorie and her mother spent a summer in Nebraska, where Marjorie directed a church choir. Afterward, while living in Denver, Colo., Gerald Becker, an ordained Baptist minister, followed her west and won her heart. They were married on Jan. 18, 1956, in Denver.
Marjorie joyfully used her vocal and piano skills by teaching piano lessons everywhere they lived. They served in churches in Nevada, and at Cascade and Potlatch, Idaho. When Gerald retired, they moved to Spokane, Wash., where her husband owned and operated Becker Piano service. Later, living in Pullman, Wash., Gerald worked as a piano technician and Marjorie worked as a secretary, then as a program coordinator in the Fine Arts Department at Washington State University. After 35 years of marriage to her beloved husband, Marjorie and her family buried Gerald (73) in Pullman. She moved to Moscow, Idaho, to be closer to her children and grown grandchildren.
While in Moscow, Marjorie attended and was an active member of Christ Church. Her devotion to Jesus Christ reminded her to constantly search for what she could do to serve Him. She continued to use her gifts in music by donating her time and skill teaching piano to students, young and old alike. She continued to love the outdoors even into her 80s, enjoying driving through the local countryside. She rests now in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior.
A celebration of Marjorie's life will be held at noon Friday, Sept. 26, 2014, at the Trinity Reformed Church, 101 E. Palouse River Drive in Moscow.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Short's Funeral Chapel, and online condolences may be sent to www.shortsfuneralchapel.net.
