Dennis M. "Hickory" Becker

Dennis Michael "Hickory" Becker, age 54, Van Dyne; past owner and operator of "Van Dyne Lanes" left this world, yet not our memories, on May 1st following a courageous battle with cancer. He was known by his friends and family as "Hickory", which was a nick-name deriving from a teen-age incident, which included a hickory stick.He was born on July 11, 1954 in Berlin, WI to Donald and Dolores (Ottman) Becker. At age 12, his family moved to Eldorado. He attended grade schools in Sheboygan Falls and Rosendale, and graduated from Rosendale High School in 1972.Dennis was a confirmed member of St. Peter's Church in Eldorado, where he also married Diane L. Marcoe on October 4, 1974. He was presently a member of Zion Lutheran Church of Van Dyne.Throughout Dennis's working years he was employed by Brenner's Bowl, Michael's Pipeline, Wisconsin Power & Light and many trucking companies; the last two being Mid States Express in FDL and Linde Gasses in Oshkosh, both as a semi driver. He and his wife Diane operated the Van Dyne Lanes from 1983 through 1995. He also created a bowling tournament known as the "Hickory Mix n' Bowl" of which its existence continues by Brenner's Bowl in Eldorado.Volunteerism was always one of Dennis's strong suits. He was a past member of the Rosendale J.C.'s; the Eldorado Volunteer Fire Department and the Van Dyne Lions Club. He was chairman of the planning committee for the Van Dyne Lions Park, in which he gave countless hours in development and labor. He was also a member of the F.D.L. County Tavern League, West Shore Fishing Club, Sturgeon for Tomorrow and a very special group of fisherman and friends, "The Eldorado Angler's"; for which Dennis organized an annual Memorial week fishing trip. Dennis enjoyed watching sports, racing, and fishing, hunting and bowling. To his credit, he bowled the only sanctioned 300 game in the history of Van Dyne Lanes. A recent highlight for Dennis was to be present at the time his son "Mick" also bowled a 300 game. He holds claim to have speared 18 sturgeons in 40 seasons. Dennis had a talent for carving sturgeon decoys, which are sold at Wendt's On the Lake and other local establishments. Dennis is survived by his wife of 34 years, Diane; 3 sons, Michael (Mick) and his wife Sheri; Gregory and Brian (both at home) all of Van Dyne; his daughter and her husband, Sheila and Scott Stettbacher of N. Fond du Lac; and two very special grandchildren that brought him a lot of joy, Carson Becker and Lauren Stettbacher. Recently he became a grandfather again to a newborn grandson Drew Dennis Stettbacher. He is also survived by his parents, Don and Dolores of Eldorado; 3 brothers, Glenn (Joyce) of Rogersville; Dale "Charlie" (Sarah) of Eldorado; Mark (Jennie) of West Bend; 4 sisters, Kathy Towne (Jim) and Marcie Waterworth (Terry) both of Eldorado; Nancy Ryan (John) of Mesa, AZ; Dawn McBride (Tom) of Waterloo and a special God Daughter, Paula (Towne)Wendt of FDL. Other survivors include father and mother-in-law, James and Le Moine Marcoe of Rosendale; 2 Brothers-in-laws, Jim (Jean) of Eldorado; Jody (Tanya) of Oakfield; 2 Sister-in-laws, Nancy (Mike) Pfeifer, Julie (Darrell) Fohr of Butternut, WI; numerous nieces & nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews, as well as aunts and uncles, cousins and friends.



Relatives and friends of Dennis Becker are welcome at the Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 N. Park Ave in Fond du Lac, on Saturday May 9, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Following will be A "Celebration of Life" memorial service with a Christian Funeral officiated by Rev. Lester Fritz. His family invites friends to share a story about him at that time. Cremation has already taken place.In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in his name to Zion Lutheran Church of Van Dyne or to the Eldorado Community Historical Organization.Dennis's faith, family and friends were all very important to him and he will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ueckerwitt.com