Joan Faye Becker

On August 8, 2025, Jesus welcomed one of His own, Joan Faye Becker, age 82, home to be with Him. Joan was born June 27, 1943, during wheat harvest in Meade County, Kansas, to CK and Mary Isaac. She was the sixth of nine children and grew up surrounded by a close-knit community of Mennonites-many of them relatives. Her childhood was rooted in the rhythms of farm life, playing with her sisters, and learning the values, ethics, and faith that shaped her family. She attended Sunrise Country School and Meade Bible Academy before graduating from Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS, with a bachelor's degree in business. It was at Tabor that she met her husband, Kenneth Becker. Joan and Ken were married on June 12, 1964, at Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Meade-also during wheat harvest. Together, they built a life marked by faith, family, and service, making homes in Hillsboro, Emporia, and Hutchinson, KS; St. Charles, MO; Salem, OR; and several California communities including Reedley, Fresno, Bakersfield, Upland, and Tulare. Over the years, Joan worked in various roles, including clerk at Bible Book House, and administrative assistant for Choice Books of West Coast and Pacific Christian Center. Joan and Ken welcomed daughters Virginia and Michelle, and a son, Donald, who passed away shortly after birth due to Rh factor. Their family grew to include two sons-in-law, seven grandchildren, four granddaughter-in-laws, and six great-grandchildren. Joan's Christian faith was central to her life. She accepted Christ as a young girl, was baptized as a teenager, and later experienced a profound spiritual renewal after reading The Twelve Steps for the Recovering Pharisee (like me). She poured herself into ministry-teaching Bible studies, serving in Christian Women's Club, working with youth, and faithfully supporting every church she attended. A gifted creative, Joan expressed herself over the years through cake decorating, doll making, stained glass, needlecraft, quilting, and writing. She self-published Stories of Worship and her memoirs Stories to Tell. Joan loved to travel, often journeying between the Midwest and West Coast to visit family. She and Ken explored many states and countries, with a special highlight in 2018-taking their entire family to Tanzania, East Africa, for a service and mission trip in honor of her parents' legacy. Family was always her priority. She treasured annual Thanksgiving shopping trips in Kansas with her mom and sisters, family gatherings, and long phone conversations! Living across the street from her daughter the last nine years allowed for intentional time tackling projects, talking about life, and playing weekly games with her grandson. Joan was preceded in death by her infant son, Donald Becker; parents CK and Mary Isaac; in-laws Earl and Margaret Becker; siblings John Eldon Isaac, Sharon Schell, Alma Schmidt; and four brothers-in-law Dean Becker, Olin Schmidt, Leroy Friesen, and Charles Spiva. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Ken Becker; The Tanner Family: Virginia & Paul, Joell, Brandon (Amanda), Shara. The Lippincott Family: Michelle & Marc, Josiah (Anne), Caleb (Kaitlyn), Jadon (Theresa), Seth. Great-grandchildren: Hannah, Mary, Hailey, Peter, Isaiah, Magdalena. Siblings: Menno (Alice) Isaac, Dewayn (Marilyn) Isaac, MaryAnn Spiva, Betty Friesen, and Ken (Diane) Isaac. In-laws: John Schell, Jim (Joan) Becker, Elaine & Bud Case. Many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends across the United States. Joan loved her Savior, her family, and the Church. She will be deeply missed, yet her legacy will live on in the many lives she touched. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at Gateway Church, Visalia, CA on September 19 at 2:00 PM. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Joan Faye Becker

June 27, 1943 - August 8, 2025