Joan Marie Becker, age 83, of Stone Lake, WI passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at her home surrounded by her family.

Joan was born August 22, 1942, in Eau Claire, WI, the sixth of thirteen children, to Douglas and Violet (Stelter) Shilts. She was raised in Spooner, WI and married her high school sweetheart on April 4, 1964. Ryan Becker and Joan have been married for 61 years.

Together they lived and worked in Richfield, MN for 10 years before moving their family to their current home on Whitefish Lake in Stone Lake, WI. God always used Joan in servant roles. She worked as a secretary and administrative assistant, most notably in her 20 plus years serving teachers and families in the Hayward Community School District. Joan and Ryan were very involved at Shell Lake Full Gospel Church for many years and later attended the Hayward Wesleyan Church. 

Joan is survived by her husband of 61 years, Ryan; five children, Kathy (Jeff) Stone of Woodbury, MN, Curt (Catherine) of Hayward, Kent (Hillary) of Souix Falls, SD, Chris (Kathryn) of Eden Prairie, MN, Kevin (Jennifer) Becker of Morristown, MN; seventeen grandchildren, four great-grandchildren (with two on the way), brothers Gerald (Eunice), George (Elnora), Melvin (Donna), Dave, Don (Janice); sisters, Linda (Derek) Craker, Darlene (Mike) Dailey, Naomi Marquart; sisters-in-law, Patricia and Barbara Shilts; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and four brothers, Clayton, Glenn, Kenneth and Gordon.

A funeral service celebrating the beautiful life of Joan will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Hayward Wesleyan Church with Pastor Ben Kidder officiating. A time of gathering with family will be held from 10:00am until the time of service on Saturday at the church. Interment will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Hayward. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Hayward Wesleyan Church.

Last Update: Feb 12, 2026 9:26 am CST