Marcedes J. Becker, 82, of rural Seneca, Kansas, died Sunday, November 26, 1995 at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka. She was being treated for a heart condition, and had been transferred from Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

She was born March 10, 1913 on a farm east of St. Benedict, Kansas, the daughter of Frederick and Mary Bergman Melcher. She attended St. Mary’s School in St. Benedict and Sts. Peter & Paul School in Seneca, and worked on the family farm. She also helped to care for her mother who was ill.

She was married September 15, 1936 to Arthur “Art” Becker at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. They lived and farmed southeast of Seneca. In 1939 they moved to the Louis Becker homestead east of Seneca, which is their present home. Her husband Art survives of the home.

In 1960 Marcedes began work in the hot lunch program at Sts. Peter & Paul School, where she continued for 25 years until her retirement in 1985.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca and the St. Ann’s Altar Society, where she served as a circle leader. She also served on the Gilman Township Election Board for many years. She was a member of the Nemaha Valley Hospital Guild and the Hospital Pitch Group. She loved to play cards and quilting, having made quilts for all the family.

Besides her husband Art, she is survived by four sons, David of Oneida, Max of Meriden, Glen of Seneca and Michael of Topeka; two daughters, Janice Heinen and Connie Thompson, both of Topeka; 19 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Clarence Melcher; and two sisters, Helen McQuaid and Rosalee Lilly.

A rosary was prayed at Lauer Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial was offered at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial was in the church cemetery.