Bessie Cleola (Elser) Becker, 95, of Ashland, died Saturday, January 30, 2016 at Lutheran Village in Ashland.  She was born March 11, 1920 southwest of Jefferson in Wayne Co., the daughter of George J. and Lucetta V. Swartz Elser.  When she was nine years old, the family, including two brothers and a dog, traveled cross country to visit relatives in California in a 1928 Chevy.  The round trip lasted nine weeks and only after their return did they learn that the Great Depression of 1929 had started while they were enroute home.

Bessie graduated from Chester High School in 1938.  She married Ansel Becker on December 5, 1942, just before he was shipped overseas with the US Army into the Pacific Theater during WWII.  Ansel sent home his paycheck to save for their future life together and Bessie became a true "Rosie the Riveter" as she went to work painting pump repair parts for the F.E. Myers Co.  She then moved on to help the war effort by spot welding the ends on ammunition cans at Gerstenslager's in Wooster.  When the war was over, the work for the women was done and the jobs were needed for the returning veterans, so Bessie left the factory and began her life vocation as a full-time homemaker and farmer's wife.

Ansel returned home in December 1945, three years after their marriage. They purchased a farm south of Ashland in 1947.  There, Ansel and Bessie raised two sons and three daughters.  Bessie was an active participant in the dairy farm, maintained a large garden and did extensive canning and freezing.  She handled the family and farm finances, cooked three large meals a day, and when harvesting time or "butchering day" came she was ready with an enormous meal for whoever came to help.  She oversaw 4-H sewing and cooking projects for her daughters.  Bessie sewed many of her daughter's clothes, including wedding gowns.  She was a Sunday School teacher.  The family was part of the Thomas Farmers Community Club.

Ansel and Bessie became active in the Trinity United Methodist Church soon after they moved to the Ashland farm.  Bessie was the oldest member of the church and had been a member for 62 years.  Bessie loved the Lord who was faithful in His promises to her over 95 years, and now, again in this resurrection which allows her to join the cloud of saints witnessing and declaring God's glory, goodness and sufficiency. She was a great prayer warrior and champion for family and friends.

Bessie was a hard worker her entire life.  She loved working in the garden and kitchen and delighted many people with her delicious cooking, often expressing thanks by sharing cookies or pies.  Bessie was especially known for her wide variety of mouth-watering pies.  After moving to town in 1987, Bessie volunteered at Samaritan Hospital for 25 years.  She attended many Bible Studies and she volunteered at Associated Charities.  She regularly visited her friends who were not able to get out on their own and often gave them a ride to church.  She was always ready to help in any way she could.  Bessie was honored in 2003 by the City Sisters Homemaker's Club as Member of the Year.  Generosity and humility were distinct character traits.

Bessie was devoted to her family and friends.  She is survived by two sons, Paul (Patricia) Becker of Ashland, and Carl (Bernice) Becker of Ashland, three daughters, Beverly (Tom) Mick of Columbus, Hazel (Lynn) Carpenter of Nashville, OH and Laura (David) Voth of Bluffton, seven grandchildren, Lyle (Alexandra) Becker, Betsy Becker, Luke (Cindy) Voth, Eva Voth, David Becker, Jeremy (Connie) Mick, and Benjamin Mick, and 5 great-grandchildren, Elijah Voth, Thomas Voth, Lydia Voth, Jeremiah Voth and Haziah Mick.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ansel Becker in 1983, a granddaughter Emily Becker in 1996 and two brothers, Jacob and Emerson Elser.

Services will be at 11:00 am Saturday, February 6, 2016 at Trinity United Methodist Church with Pastors Shaun Green and Roger Hayes officiating.  Bessie's granddaughter Betsy Becker will deliver the message.  Burial will follow in Trinity Cemetery.

Friends may call Friday, February 5, 2016 from 6-8 pm at Fickes Funeral Home in Jeromesville, or Saturday, February 6, 2016 from 10-11 am at Trinity Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church 1301 State Route 89, Ashland, OH 44805 or to Encompass World Partners, PO Box 3298, Monument, CO 80132-3290 for work in Kyrgyzstan (please note in memory of Bessie Becker).
Online condolences may be made at www.fickesfuneralhome.com.