Marion Dwight Becker was born February 1, 1938, to Kermit and Sophia (Unruh) Becker at McPherson, Kansas. He passed away March 27, 2024, at Bethel Home in Montezuma, Kansas.

He grew up on a farm in rural Canton, Kansas. Dad had a new birth experience and was baptized in the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite on January 6, 1952. On March 22, 1957, he was married to Carolyn Wedel. To this union one son and three daughters were born. They had sixty-seven happy years together. Early in their married life they attended Lonetree Mennonite Church, and later changed their membership to Morning Star Congregation at Durham, Kansas, where they attended for 9 years, before moving to Moundridge, Kansas in 1976.

Having his family stay together, and being faithful to God and the church, was especially important to Dad. He took opportunity to teach Christian values every day in our childhood home. We enjoyed backyard softball games, the afternoon hikes in surrounding pastureland, and bike rides around town and into the country. Dad was quite attached to the community, reaching out to those in need of roof repairs, lawn mowing, or singing as a family to neighbors. He touched so many with his generous offers of help and happiness. His favorite motto was "Live for the good of others."  In faith and Christian practice, Dad was uncompromising but so gentle; firm, but not arguing - always respecting people and their feelings. Dad's leadership traits gave us confidence in Dad and Mom, who we children saw as one; they were very close and respectful of each other.

The grandchildren were a delight to him, and he formed a special bond with them. When they were old enough, they would pile in the gator or pickup and head to the hometown café or Presto for coffee breaks. The John Deere toy aisle was another stop for the out-of-town grandchildren who left with one or two new toys.

Dad had various careers – working at Canton Elevator for 13 years, before beginning his career in nursing home administration which spanned 25 years. Spending 2 years at Moundridge Manor, then 20 years at Bethel Home in Montezuma. He also enjoyed serving as a volunteer fire fighter and an EMT.

He retired in 2001. With his health declining, Dad and Mom moved into a Bethel Home self-care apartment in 2014. There they enjoyed nine years together until it was necessary to move Dad into full care. After 3 months, the Lord called him home.

Our dad is survived by his wife, Carolyn, of Montezuma, Kansas; their children, Susan and Daniel Koehn, James and Martha Becker of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, Marsha and Lorin Koehn, Copeland, Kansas and Jenny and Evan Smith of Montezuma, Kansas; thirteen grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; two brothers, Gordon and Carolyn Becker of Kirksey, Kentucky,  and Dale and Joyce Becker of Siloam Springs, Arkansas.  He was predeceased by his parents, and a brother, Larry.

Funeral services will be held at Montezuma Mennonite Church on Saturday, March 30,2024 at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at Montezuma Mennonite Cemetery. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Friday, March 29, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to Bethel Home in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.