Gretchen Marie Becker

Gretchen went to be with the Lord at the age of 69. She died at home on March 30, 2016, following a 3 year battle with cancer.

Gretchen was born December 26, 1946, in Wayne, Michigan, daughter of Dorothy (Lange) Eberlein who lives in Hampton Manor in Bay City at the nice age of 94 ½ and the late Arthur Eberlein. Gretchen was a graduate of Sebewaing High School in 1964. She moved to Bay City and attended Northeastern School of Commerce. There she met the love of her life, Robert Becker, who survives her on their farm in Unionville, Michigan.

Gretchen and Bob were married on May 27th, 1967, in Sebewaing, Michigan at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Gretchen worked 2 years for the US Department of Navy at Defoe Ship Building.

Gretchen and Bob raised 4 boys in Unionville. They farmed with Bob's brother Wayne and their father while running a 70 sow farrow-to-finish hog operation. After the boys graduated Gretchen went to work in Sebewaing for the USA school system. She loved children and her work. In 2010, after 19 years of work as the middle school principal secretary she retired due to health reasons. At St. Paul Lutheran Church Gretchen played hand bells, sang in the choir and was a member of the Ladies Aid. Gretchen also enjoyed singing in the community choir. She was a member of the Friendly Farmers Farm Bureau group. Bob and Gretchen enjoyed going on trips; the most enjoyable one was Dr. Charles Stanley Christian cruise to Alaska.

Bob and Gretchen's goal was to raise their family on the farm and send the boys to St. Paul Lutheran School for 8 years and then have them graduate from High School. Gretchen enjoyed cooking for family and friends and spending time with her grandchildren. Gretchen was a wonderful, loving, Christ filled woman who will be greatly missed not only by her family but by her many friends whose lives she touched over the years.

Gretchen was preceded in death by infant stillborn son, Dennis, Arthur Eberlein (father), Arnold and Arlene Becker (mother and father-in-law) Wayne Becker (brother-in-law).

Gretchen is survived by her husband Bob with 48 years of marriage. Her 4 sons, Brian (Lisa) of Bay City, Eric from Sebewaing, Cari (Amy) of Unionville, and Arden (Brigitte) of Howell Michigan, her mother Dorothy Eberlein of Bay City, her sister Kathy (Bob) Pilarski of Bay City, her brother Mike (Judy) Eberlein of Haslett, Michigan; her 9 grandchildren-Madison and Taylor of Bay City, Morgan of Port Austin, Mackenzie of Bach, Sara, Alexandrea and Jacob of Unionville, Zachary and Rachel of Howell, Michigan; and many cousins, nephews, nieces and many friends.

Funeral services will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Unionville on Monday, April 4, 2016. Visitation will begin at 2pm with the service at 3pm.

Her body will lay in state at the Juengel & Mellendorf Funeral Home in Sebewaing, Michigan. Hours of showing will be 2pm-9pm on Sunday, April 3, 2016.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Unionville, Michigan, McLaren Hospice, ACW ambulance, or a charity of the donor's choice.