Mary A. Becker

The Lord called Mary to her eternal heavenly home on July 6, 2016, after giving her 65 years of grace on the earth. Mary Alice Wightman was born to Norman and Louise (Luedtke) Wightman, on October 20, 1950, in Fond du Lac Wisconsin. She was given the gift of faith through Holy Baptism on December 3, 1950. Mary confirmed her faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior on May 17, 1964, at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac. Mary attended St. Peter's Lutheran School (K-8) and Winnebago Lutheran Academy (9-12), graduating in 1968.

Mary entered the work force after high school, being employed by the former Threshermans Insurance Company in Fond du Lac.

On October 24, 1970, she married Robert Becker at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac. In 1971 Robert and Mary moved to Appleton, Wisconsin, where Robert had accepted a call to teach at Fox Valley Lutheran High School. Mary used her time of grace to grow in faith as a member of Riverview Lutheran Church in Appleton, to serve as a faithful wife, mother, and servant on many church and school committees. She later worked for Manpower, taking temporary jobs at several locations. The most memorable was typing the operation manuals for a new paper machine being installed at the former Wisconsin Tissue Mills in Menasha.

Mary worked as a full-time medical transcriptionist for Central Wisconsin Rehabilitation under the ownership of Jerry Duly and when that business was sold, began work as a clerk for Schenck, and later worked in the corporate office of Coldwell Banker, The Real Estate Group, for 15 years before retiring in 2013 due to the onset of cancer.

Mary is survived by her husband of 45 years: Robert; her daughters: Ann (Chad) Marohn of Lannon, Wisconsin and Amy (Jonathan) Schneider of Delavan, Wisconsin; her grandchildren are Bryce, Megan, Ty, Luke, Caitlin, and Faith Marohn. She is also survived by brothers: Norm (Merlene) Wightman of Green Valley, Arizona and Tom (Sharon) Wightman of Madison, Wisconsin; sisters: Marge Strong and Marcia Wightman of Fond du Lac; a brother-in-law: John Becker of Fond du Lac. Mary also leaves behind her nephews: Wes (Cathy) Wightman of Phoenix, Arizona; Mark Strong of Fond du Lac; Scott (Sarah) Strong of Madison; and Brian (Heidi) Wightman of Waukesha; and her nieces: Tammie (Richard) Taylor of Sheboygan; Carrie (John) Vercauteren of Fond du Lac; and Heather (Justin) Langdon of Sheboygan.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents: Norman and Louise Wightman; her in-laws: Lester and Lydia (Krueger) Becker; and a brother-in-law: Stephen Strong.

The Christian Funeral Service for Mary will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at RIVERVIEW EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH, 136 W. Seymour Street in Appleton, with Rev. Dennis Belter and Rev. Adam Bode officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Friends and relatives are invited to gather at the Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior Street in Appleton on Tuesday from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM and again at the church on Wednesday morning from 9:00 AM until the time of the service. Memorials in Mary's memory should be given to Riverview Lutheran Church Debt Reduction or Riverview Lutheran School Tuition Assistance. For more information or to share a memory of Mary, please visit www.wichmannfargo.com

The family would like to thank Dr. Goggins and all the nurses and staff at Fox Valley Hematology and Oncology for their professional and caring service during her 3 years of treatment. Also thanks to her hospice nurse (Karen) and nurses assistant (Elma) from Heartland for their support and care during the last months of hospice care.

We celebrate that Mary's soul is in heaven because of the perfect life, death, and resurrection of her Savior Jesus Christ.

“For this God is our God forever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.” Psalm 48: 14