Obit: Becken, Halver “Sonny” Miller (1932 - 2022)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Becken, Miller, Steinwand, Back, VanDaalwyk, Slamka, Ewig, Liske, Fredrickson, Schjoneman, Decker, Bedrosian, Weinfurtner, Kaufman

----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI) 12/06/2022

Becken, Halver “Sonny” (12 October 1932 – 4 December 2022) With Flag

Halver (better known as “Sonny”) Miller Becken, age 90, departed this life on December 4, 2022.

“Sonny” was born in Green Grove, on October 12, 1932, to Halver and Meta (Miller) Becken of Colby. He acquired nickname, Sonny, as a young boy from his six sisters. He attended Green Grove Elementary School, Colby High School and following graduation enlisted in the U. S. Navy to serve during the Korean War. Following an honorable discharge, he wed Sandra Steinwand on July 13, 1957.

They relocated to Milwaukee for employment where he worked as a Mechanical Engineer for Allis Chalmers, American Motors and finally the City of Milwaukee Fire Department, where he retired. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and riding his ATVs and tractors.

Halver “Sonny” is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sandra; two daughters: Terri (Roy) Back of Egg Harbor and Deanne (Dennis) VanDaalwyk of Brookfield; two sons: Keith (Lynn) Becken of Reeseville and Todd (Kim) Becken of Custer. He is also survived by five natural grandchildren: Kristen (Lahr), Jacob Becken, Joshua Becken, Kyle VanDaalwyk and Ryan VanDaalwyk; four blended family grandchildren: Robin Slamka, Lynn Ewig, Christopher Liske, Chad Liske and 14 great-grandchildren. Halver “Sonny” is also survived by three sisters: Sandy Fredrickson, Darlene Schjoneman and June Decker.

He is preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Percy and three sisters: Gloria Bedrosian, LaMyra Weinfurtner and Joyce Kaufman.

A Celebration of his Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford. A Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Colby with Military Honors provided by the Colby VFW Post #2227.

His sense of humor brightened our lives. He always took time for child’s play and adult laughter. He enjoyed being behind funny pranks. We will carry those memories of him in our hearts.

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