Edward A. Becker, 88, of rural Chadron, died Monday, January 8, 2018 at Highland
Park Care Center in Alliance where he had been a resident since suffering a stroke
on July 30, 2017.
Ed was born April 24, 1929 at Alliance to Edward M. and Thelma (Zoble) Becker.
He subsequently became the big brother to Arlene Minor, Maxine Morris and Charlene
Hebbert. Three other sisters, Irene Lowe, Darlene Bonifield and Delores Valentine
preceded him in death, as well as his parents and two brothers, who died as babies,
and a baby grandson, Joseph Cawiezell.
Ed attended country school near their Ashby ranch and then attended St. Agnes Academy,
where he played football and basketball before graduating in 1948. Following graduation
he joined his dad in ranching.
On July 14, 1953 he and Sally Lowe were married at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Alliance.
He then became associated with Lowe Cattle Company. Ranching was his first priority in
life but he enjoyed rodeo as a past time. Calf Roping was always his best event but he took
a turn at riding barebacks and saddle broncs and even bull dogging. At the age of 30 he
began tripping steers. He qualified for the NFR in Steer Roping six times. In 1973 he won
the Average at Laramie, WY the first year the Finals were held there.
In 1983, after Dean and Nancy were well established at Lowe Cattle Company, Ed and Sally
bought a place east of Chadron and he was able to rope more and they both began to enter
Old Timers Rodeos all over the West. In 1989, they went to Arizona for two weeks and in
time bought their own place, rodeoed, made new friends and enjoyed the warm weather-but
were always home by calving time…just in case he was needed.
His family includes his wife, Sally, of 64 years; his daughters, Brenda Booth of Casper, WY,
Joan (Bill) Bolln of Chadron, Nancy (Dean) Edelman, who live on and manage the family
ranches in Ashby, NE, Luanne (Chuck) Cawiezell of Lingle, WY, Julie Roland of Tyndall, SD
and Kerry Becker and her partner Michelle Wright of Riverton, WY. He was always so proud
of all his girls because as he told people, “They all know how to work.” They also raised grand-
children and great-grandchildren whom he enjoyed as well; Cory and Mark Brennan and their
children, Collin and Rylee; Kelli and Jack Rhembrandt and three boys, Tameron and Dillan
Sayaloune and Blake Rhembrandt; Traci and Butch Hollibaugh and daughter Laney Klemke;
Dean and Ann Lehmkuhler and their girls Eva and Abby, Lander, WY; Andrew Roland, USMC,
Indian Head, MD; Jill and Trevor Eppert and TC; Jake Edelman, Ashby, NE.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic
Church in Chadron. Father Tim Stoner will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Grant County Rescue or the
Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa FL, 33607.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in
charge of the arrangements.