Constance Elizabeth "Connie" Becker

Constance “Connie” Elizabeth Gunn Becker, formerly of Carthage, passed away at 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at the McDonough District Hospital in Macomb.

Connie was born April 7, 1944 in Ft. Madison, Iowa.  She was adopted as an infant by Francis Joseph and Lena Beatrice (Martin) Gunn.  Connie attended Catholic grade school and graduated in 1962 from Cardinal Stritch High School in Keokuk.  She had wonderful high school friends and remained close with them her entire life.  Connie graduated from Keokuk Community College in 1964 and Drake University in 1966.  She taught English and directed school plays at St. Charles High School in Missouri for nine years.  Connie married Harold Becker in 1977 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. They had their marriage blessed in 1996 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hamilton, Illinois by Fr. Raymond Lukoskie.  Connie and Harold lived on the River Road outside of Nauvoo, Illinois for 31 years.  They were members of St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Nauvoo and later Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Carthage.  Connie developed ALS in 1996 and, despite this, lived a very full and happy life for 27 years.  She often said getting ALS was a great blessing that brought her closer to her faith.  Connie and Harold moved to assisted living in Carthage at Hickory Grove and later lived at St. Vincent’s Home in Quincy.  They then moved back to Hickory Grove and, after Harold’s death, Connie lived at Wesley Village in Macomb her last few years.  Connie was an avid reader and loved to travel, especially with Harold on his BMW motorcycle. Her favorite place was the Blue Ridge Parkway.  After being an only child, Connie was thrilled to connect with her biological family in 2018 and joked that she was glad she would now have relatives listed in her obituary.  Connie is survived by her dear sister, Susan Smith, of Colorado; her first cousins David (Victoria) Roden of Minnesota and Linda (Orvin) Rosaasen of South Dakota; and cousins Marlene Vickstrom, Britt Vickstrom; Kent (Kim) Lurvey; and many nieces and nephews.  Connie was preceded in death by her parents and Harold in 2017.  Connie was loved by all who were fortunate enough to know her.  The staff at the different facilities where Connie lived quickly became dear friends.  Connie had a great sense of humor.  Her faith was the most important thing to her, and she shared it with everyone.  She was an inspiration and will be greatly missed by all. 

A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Carthage with burial to follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Hamilton.  Visitation will be Tuesday, May 2, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. at Printy Funeral Home in Carthage.  A rosary will be said at 5:15.  At Connie’s request, memorials may be made to the Immaculate Conception Women’s Club or the St. Peter and Paul Catholic Women’s Club.

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