Roberta Kay Becker

Roberta Kay Becker was born to Robert Keith Havener from Gordon, Nebraska and Margaret Elizabeth Altenburger from Ankeny, Iowa in Pasadena, California on June 20, 1947. Kay was the middle child. Her sister, Karen Jo was 18 months her senior and her brother, Jon Robert, was 3 years her junior. As her father was a member of the US Army, the family moved frequently living in California, Florida, South Dakota, Iowa, Ohio and five years in Germany (Bayreuth, Stuttgart and Nuremburg). Kay enjoyed the travel and exposure to different places and people, but hated beginning new schools and trying to make friends. After their last tour of duty in Germany, the family settled in Cleveland, Ohio where Kay graduated from John Adams High School, with distinction.

For college, Kay attended Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa where she majored in German and met her first husband, David Morton Ranney of Libertyville, Illinois. They were married on April 20, 1963, their senior year, and graduated that June. After graduation, Kay and David remained in Indianola where David worked for Simpson as Assistant Director of the Hawley Learning Skills Center. The couple was involved in the fair housing movement and Democratic politics. Their first child, Nora Kay, was born on January 4, 1972.

In 1975, Kay and David moved to Des Moines where their second child, Melisa Anne, was born on April 24, 1976 (her father’s birthday present). Kay raised the children and David worked in the hardware business, first at Handy Dan and later at Jewett Lumber Company. While the children grew, Kay became a PTA volunteer, Melissa’s Camp Fire leader, and was active in Beaverdale Little League. She was president of Samuelson Elementary School PTA during the 1982-83 school year after which the students were merged into Woodlawn Elementary. She served as a school volunteer for many years and was a member of the Meredith Middle School advisory board. While Melissa was in Camp Fire, Kay was her leader, candy party chairperson, leaders’ chairman, and served on the Heart of the Hawkeye board of directors. She was team mother for Nora’s pee wee team and served in various capacities in the Beaverdale Women’s Auxiliary.

Kay enjoyed all kinds of crafts, sewing and knitting. She made many of her children’s clothes, quilted, and took several quilting classes.

In 1987, Kay returned to school when it became obvious that her marriage to David was disintegrating. She received her AA in legal assistance from Des Moines Area Community College in December, 1988 and became fully employed at Galligan & Conlin, P.C. where she had performed her internship. After her divorce in 1990, she worked for Howes and Anderson, P.C., Duncan, Green, Brown, Langness & Eckley, P.C. in Des Moines and Brierly Law Office in Newton. In 2005, Kay began working for Babich Goldman, P.C. where she worked until her retirement in 2012.

Kay met Dennis Becker in 1996 and they married on October 17, 2001 in Honolulu, Hawaii. They shared their lives together until his death. Kay’s life-long desire was to have a family and a successful relationship with her mate; she accomplished both with Dennis.

Kay and Dennis’ great joy were their grandchildren. Gregory Benjamin was the first, Gary’s son from his first marriage. Rebekah Elisabeth was born to Melissa and Gary on August 22, 2002. Gabrielle Maxine followed on August 27, 2004. Francisco Enrique, Karena Zephrine, and Christiana were born to Dennis’ daughter, Angela, and her husband, Carlos Wakely. Theodore Javier Jackson was born to Juliet, Dennis’ middle daughter, and Jordan was adopted by Dennis’ oldest daughter, Jennifer, and her husband, Lee.

Kay struggled many years to find her spiritual home. She found it at First Unitarian Church of Des Moines where she and, later, Dennis were members. Kay died contented and happy.

Kay will be cremated and a graveside service held in the spring. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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