Cordula B. Becker, 99, died Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at the Onaga Community Hospital in Onaga, Kansas.

She was born February 1, 1915, on a farm north of Axtell, to Francis and Catherine Weber Koelzer. She spent her early years in Axtell and attended St. Michael’s School. When she was nine years old, her family moved to a farm southwest of St. Benedict and she attended St. Mary’s School. In 1927 they moved to a farm south of St. Patrick’s Church at Coal Creek and she attended the College Hill District #81 School. She also attended St. Michael’s High School. She worked on the family farm and helped other families in the area.

On January 8, 1936 she married Henry A. Becker at St. Patrick’s Church at Corning, Kansas; Henry died May 24, 2000. The couple lived and farmed the Becker homestead at “Four Corners”, southwest of Centralia. In 1940, their home burned and they moved to the Dave Donahue farm south of Centralia, where they have lived for many years. Cordula and her family owned and operated the Lillis Grocery Store at Lillis form 1951-1955. She worked as a cook in the kitchen at the Onaga Hospital for several years and worked for the Whitescarver Dress Factory in Holton. She then returned home to care for her family and help on the farm.

She was a member of St. Patrick’s Church and St. Ann’s Altar Society at Corning. She was a former member of St. Patrick’s Church and St. Ann’s Altar Society at Coal Creek until the church closed in 1971. She served as President and Treasurer of the St. Patrick’s Cemetery Board at Coal Creek for many years. She loved to do all kinds of sewing and making items for her grandchildren. She enjoyed raising flowers and gardening. She also enjoyed playing the pump organ for St. Patrick’s Church for over 40 years.

Survivors include her five sons, Leon Becker and Clem Becker, both of Centralia, Roger Becker of Corning, Clayton Becker of St. Joseph, MO and Daniel Becker of Centralia; a brother, Francis Koelzer Jr. of Centralia; 26 grandchildren, 90 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Theresa Alverson on June 8, 2013; infant twin brothers, Gabriel and Raphael, and brothers, Michael Koelzer on April 6, 1994, Clem Koelzer on April 1, 2003; a sister, Dolorosa Engelken on November 27, 1998.

The Mass of Christian burial will be 10 AM Saturday, April 5, 2014, at St. Patrick’s Church in Corning. Burial will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery at Coal Creek. The rosary will be prayed at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca on Friday, April 4, at 2 and 7 PM.

Memorial contributions may be given for St. Patrick’s Cemetery at Coal Creek and sent in care of the family