Marlin Dale Becker, 82, of Redfield and formerly of Rockham, died Saturday, August 07, 2010 at Golden Living Center in Redfield. His funeral will be Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Redfield. Pastor Josh Kendrick and Pastor Eric Stanley will officiate. After a time for fellowship and lunch the burial will be in the Rockham Cemetery with military rites. Visitation will be Monday from 1-8:00 p.m. with the family present from 5-7:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, Marlin's family prefers memorials which will be used for Alzheimer's research or "The Unit" at Golden Living Center.

Marlin was born July 21, 1928, on the family farm, to John and Freida (Hardie) Becker. Marlin graduated from St. Lawrence High School in 1946. Marlin married Maxine Betty Phillips on December 27, 1950 in St. Lawrence. They were blessed with three children: Bradley, Roxann and Kimberly. He farmed with his brother Milton until 1951. Marlin joined the United States Army and served from 1951-1954, stationed in El Paso, TX. After his discharge, he farmed for a few years for JP Neu before he bought the Charles Buss farm four miles west of Rockham. Maxine died in 1974. Marlin married Lucille Frances Brickey Curtis on December 31, 1975 and he was blessed with four more daughters: Stacie, Kelli, Leslie and Kerri.

While farming, Marlin was a substitute mail carrier for seventeen years until he took over a star route full time in 1979. He retired as a mail carrier in 2003. He entered Golden Living Center in 2007 where he brought a smile to everyone.

Marlin was Sec/Treas for the Star Route Mail Carriers Association for several years. He was a long time member of the American Legion, Rockham Methodist Church and current member of Redfield Wesleyan Church.

Marlin was a generous loving husband, father and friend. Grateful to have shared his life are his wife Lucille "Lucy" of Redfield; children: Bradley (Brenda) Becker of Springfield, MO; Roxann (Bob) Thielen of Pierre, SD; Kimberly (Scott) VanDenHemel of Ft. Pierre, SD; Stacie (Mark) Seaman of Windsor, CO; Kelli (Rick) Stanley of Odessa, MO; Leslie (Bruce) Edgar of Rockham, SD and Kerri (Todd) Poole of Hutto, TX. He is also survived by eighteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, his sisters: Irene (Robert) Schmidt of Rockham, SD and Elvina (Roger) Engle of Minnesota and his brother Lester (Verna) Becker of Miller, SD and many nieces and nephews.

Marlin was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Maxine, his sister Lucillia, his infant sister Evelyn and two brothers: Milton and Marvin.