Harriet Becker

Harriet Ruth Hoegh Becker, 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 13, at the Renaissance Assisted Living facility in Dillon, Montana.

Harriet (Hattie) was born on February 14, 1926, in Brayton, Iowa, to Bertha and George Hoegh. She grew up in Brayton for a short while, before moving to Atlantic, where her parents were actively involved in local businesses, namely Hoegh Oil and the Hoegh Motel. Harriet grew up attending Lincoln Elementary and Atlantic Junior and Senior High Schools.

She went on to college at Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri, and the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, where she earned a BA in social work. She spent several years as a social worker in Council Bluffs, Iowa City and Riverside, California, and spent a year in Hawaii at the University of Honolulu, working on a Master’s degree.

On September 6, 1952, Harriet married Richard (Dick) Becker. Harriet and Richard found Atlantic to be the best place to settle down and raise a family. They enjoyed 58 wonderful years together. She was a fixture in the community and her church, and was all about service, supporting education and giving to others so that they might have opportunities to excel and find fulfillment. She never backed down from an adventure and became a travel agent at one point where she was able to tour numerous places around the world, including countries throughout Europe, South and Central America, the Carribbean, SE Asia and many regions in China.

When all the kids had left Iowa to pursue their various careers, she and Richard were drawn to the rambling life in their motorhome. She spent many enjoyable years with Richard traveling to all corners of the U.S. to see the fantastic forests, mountains, parks, beaches and cities this country has to offer. Later they moved to Polson, Montana, to be closer to their children and grandchildren, but continued to take numerous trips to Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park, where she had worked one summer in her youth. She took many notes along the way, did a lot of bird-watching, studied flowers and plant life, and read every brochure and land mark about the history of this land and the wonder of it all. She never stopped learning and educating herself until she was sadly stricken with Alzheimer's disease approximately 7 years ago.

Hattie enjoyed a rich life filled with many friends and adventures. She was well grounded through her faith in God, loved her family, and had a great appreciation for the natural world around her and the simple things that make life worthwhile. Harriet leaves behind many great memories. She influenced many people with her passion for life and her joyful spirit. She will be missed immensely.

Harriet is survived by her sons and grandchildren: David and Mary Jo Becker of Centennial, CO, and Kimberly, Van and Jake; Jay Becker of Yakima, WA; Ned and Kim Becker of Missoula, MT, and Ellee, Claire and Dane; and son-in-law, Mike Pettit of Dillon, MT, and Jenny and Hayley.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Richard, and daughter, Elizabeth (Buffy) Pettit.

The family will be planning a memorial service for Harriet in Atlantic in the coming weeks. Further information on the service will be forthcoming.

The family requests memorials are made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic, or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Condolences may be left online at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.