Irma Ella Olinda Becker

Irma Ella Olinda Becker, 96, of Black Jack, died June 8, 2015. She is survived by her daughter. Jane Elliott; son-in-law, Kent; granddaughter, Elizabeth; grandson, Gary and his wife, Kris, and great grandchildren, Olivia and Ethan. She was sister to Alvera Wollgast; aunt to Lee and Nancy Wollgast and their children, Doug, Scott and Katy. She was born in log cabin to the late William and Edna (nee:Gronemeier) Poggemoeller on July 11, 1918. Irma's only sibling, Alvera, was born 5 years later. She learned to drive at the age of 11 and regularly drove her mother to get groceries in Baden, as well as cross country on Route 66 to California to visit relatives. Along with working on Bill's family truck farm growing tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers, she cleaned houses to make money. She attended Black Jack School until 8th grade and for her 16th birthday enjoyed and airplane ride at Lambert Field. On November 11, 1939 she married the late Albert F. Becker. Her daughter, Jane, was born September 4, 1943. She lived on Old Halls Ferry Road her whole life. Irma was co-owner of Al F. Becker Jewelers where she helped manage their downtown St. Louis store and worked stringing beads. Irma and Al enjoyed traveling with friends in TPA and The Moolah Shriners to Yellowstone, Hawaii, New Orleans, Caribbean and Canada. In addition, she went with Joe Becker (father-in-law) and Alvera on a two week trip to visit relatives in West Germany. Irma and Al were avid gardeners with a large garden and raspberry patch. Irma was a wonderful cook. She enjoyed mowing grass, stalking moles (one year she got 22) and working on numerous projects especially restoring antique furniture with her father-in-law, Joe Becker. With her friend, Estelle, she sewed, stitched, canned and baked birthday cakes and pies of all kinds. Irma's greatest joy was cleaning, organizing and watching the baseball Cardinals. Confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Salem Church in Black Jack, she and Al later joined Zion United Church of Christ in Black Jack. Jane and Kent invited Irma to their antique tractor club events. She enjoyed the fellowship and eventually even bought her own antique tractor, a 1950 Oliver 77 Orchard. All who knew Irma appreciated her wit and straightforward manner. She was independent until the end and cherished hard work in her life. Visitation is Friday June 12, 2-3pm, at HUTCHENS Mortuary, 675 Graham Road, Florissant, with procession to Salem Lutheran Cemetery for a 3:30pm graveside service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2001 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis MO 63131-3597.

Irma Ella Olinda Becker

July 11, 1918 - June 8, 2015