“Howdy Pardner” Peter R Becker, 93, went to meet his Lord the evening of August 30, 2021 at his daughters house in Alliance, NE.
Pete was born April 1, 1928, in Hyannis, NE to Felix and Minnie (Jons) Becker. He married Lassie Miller on February 29, 1960 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mullen, NE. They had 41 wonderful years together until Lassies death in 2001. In 2009 he married Mary Catherine Koester, and spent 11 happy years together.
Pete lived and worked his entire life on “Pete Becker Inc.”, the ranch his grandfather started over 100 years ago. Thru the years Pete increased the size of the ranch, continued raising sought after black Angus Cattle & many good quality Quarter horses. Pete loved his cows & horses and the Sandhill’s land they grazed. He was definitely a “Cowboys, Cowboy”
Thru his ranching career Pete was honored with several awards. In 2001 he was chosen as an AQHA Legacy award winner. In 1993 his ranch was selected to be part of the World Angus Forum. He was a charter member of the Rodeo Club at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. For several years his horses have been chosen to be part of Colorado State University’s colt breaking program “The Legends of Ranching”, and he was inducted into the “Sandhill’s Cowboy Hall of Fame” along with his late father, in 2014. Pete was active in the Nebraska High School Rodeo Association when his daughters participated, and he has been featured in articles in the “Western Horseman” magazine, the Nebraska Cattleman, and The “Quarter Horse Journal. He was a lifelong member of All Saints Catholic Church in Hyannis, NE.
Pete’s greatest joys in life were his family & friends. He didn’t know a stranger and welcomed everyone into his home, especially if they could talk horses! The legacy Pete has left behind include his wife, Mary Catherine, his sister Jean Hargreaves, his daughters: Tinka (Scott) Moller, Tracey Morgan, Trudy (Kasey) Kistler, and Becky (Phil) Ruschmeyer. He is also survived by his harem of granddaughters: Heather (Chris) Seebohm, Tinka Taylor (Brett) Omar, Jordan (Brandon) Jerke, Lauren Moller, Brittany (Drew) Petersen, Brandy (Andrew) Soucie, Jaycee (Tanner) Kezar, Madison (Carlos) Guardado, Meghan Beans & Molly Beans. Great Grands: Mikayla & Macey Seebohm, Oliver Omar, Braelynn, Kacen, & Colter Bach, Audra & Ally Soucie, Addy & Gavin Kezar, and Charlie Rae Guardado. He is also survived by his step children: Dan (Michelle) Pianalto, Nick (Olivia) Pianalto, and Marla Pianalto Brauer (Toby Geiger), and his step grandchildren: Kaden and Hannah Leiker, Madison, Braden & Broderick Pianalto, Chase, Lane, Sarah & Carissa Crabtree. He has also left behind many more family & friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Felix and Minnie, his wife, Lassie, his in-laws, Ernie and Marceline Miller, his brother in law, Charles Hargreaves, and his God son Thomas (Stub) Boots.
Funeral services will be held Monday, September 6, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, Hyannis NE with Fr. Matthew Nash and Fr. Bryan Ernest officiating. Burial will be in the Hyannis Cemetery. A rosary, wake service will be held Sunday evening at 5:00 p.m. with Fr. Matt Koperski presiding at Bates Gould Funeral Home in Alliance, NE.
Memorials are suggested to the St. Agnes Foundation, The Hyannis Ambulance Fund, or Regional West Hospice. They can be sent directly to them or % Tinka Moller, 416 18th Terrace, Alliance, NE 69301
Happy Trails Pardner….. until we meet again.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.