Illa Mae Becker, 73, of Redfield, SD, died Thursday, January 28, 2010 at Avera St. Lukes Hospital in Aberdeen. Illa Mae was cremated and her memorial service will be Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Redfield. Reverend Tim Fugman will officiate. Cremains burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery. Illa Mae's family will be present at Thelen Funeral Home on Friday from 5-7:00 p.m. for a time to visit. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Illa Mae was born August 27, 1936 in Miller, SD to Harold and Elaine (Thomas) Miller. She attended country school south of Rockham before her family moved to Redfield when she was a young girl. Illa Mae attended Redfield High School and married Arlo Becker on December 6, 1954 in Redfield. Illa Mae and Arlo farmed west of Redfield all their lives. Arlo died in 2000 and Illa Mae continued living on the farm and driving Redfield School bus like she had for many years. She also drove the transit bus in Redfield on Sundays for the church services.

Illa Mae enjoyed talking and visiting with anybody and everybody. That included, a few years back, being known as "CB Sally" and talking to many truck drivers day or night. She also learned how to use a computer, internet, e-mail and face book and used them to keep in touch with many friends and family.

Illa Mae is survived by her children: Pam (Rod) Weikum of Casper, WY; Dennis (LuAnn) Becker of Brookings, SD; Denise (Bill) Ashline of Rawlins, WY; Dale Becker of Redfield and Dawn (Alfred) Waldner of Yale, SD; four grandchildren: Ann Marie, Jeremy, Tyler and Tara and three great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers: Doug (Carol) Miller of Redfield and Gary (Sharon) Miller of Tularosa, NM.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Arlo.