Klemeth Von Becker's Obituary
Klemeth Von Becker
August 15, 1931 – January 8, 2018
It has been said that the measure of a man is in his actions and his words. Klemeth, Klem to his family and friends, was a man who laughed, listened, and loved all who were close to him. Klemeth Becker passed away on Monday, January 8th at his home in Lakewood, Washington from complications of lung cancer.
He is survived by Susie (his beloved wife of 50 years) and their four daughters: Teresa (Kevin) Sager, Rebecca (Anthony) Whetstine, Beverly (Bill) Roosa, and Lana Reynoldson, their 8 grandchildren: Elizabeth (David) McKavanagh, Shannon (Richard) Cassou, Trisha (Joe) Cole, Erin Whetstine, Michael Johnson, Sarah (Justin) McSorley, Lindsey (Michael) Roberts, and Katie Reynoldson; and their 7 great grandchildren: Jase, Maya, Jayden, Jack, Nicholas, Emily, and Charlotte.
He is also survived by his sisters, Beverly Fisher and Louella Palmer along with his many nieces and nephews.
Klemeth is preceded in death by his parents Edwin and Elizabeth Becker, grandson Robert Felty, and his beloved Pomeranian, Solo.
Klemeth was born in Calgary, Alberta Canada where he lived with his parents until he was 14 years old. At that time the family moved to Lodi, California. Klemeth joined the Army when he was 16 and served 20 years in the service making lifelong friends and “seeing the world.” He retired in 1968 at the age of 36. Klemeth then worked for many school districts, finally retiring from the Central Kitsap School District at age 65. He also had many online and Facebook friends.
The family wanted to share what made this wonderful man so very special by telling you the story of his dash, the time spent between his birth and his death.
Susie (wife):
You know, it doesn't seem like 51 years since I met SGT. KLEMETH BECKER. He would come into the N.C.O. Club where I worked twice a day, breakfast and lunch, and even some coffee breaks. He was a funny guy who always had a smile for everyone (not just me). He was in the ARMY for life. He loved the army that he had been a part of him since he was 16 years old. Then he started dating me, met my 4 girls, and, as they say, the rest is history.
We were married in July, just a year after we started dating. He always said he traded in a “four on the floor gran-prix” for four in the back seat of a damn station wagon (best deal he ever made). Klemeth retired from the Army a year after we were married.
We had a long, happy, and loving marriage.
Our four girls had their Daddy helped them through all of life’s hurdle. He walked each one of them down the aisle, some more than once. His greatest joy was being a grandfather, he loved holding those babies! His little girls are all grandparents themselves now. When we got to be Great – Grandparents the fun started all over again.
The greatest loss of our lives occurred five years ago when we lost our beloved oldest grandson, Robert William Klemeth Felty to a brutal battle with cancer. That was the true test of a family. Klemeth and I did not fare well at all. We both sort of went with him for a time, wanting so badly to just stop and join him. But at the same time, we also knew the family we still had before us would very much need the guidance of the patriarchs to get through the daily trials of life for some time to come.
The kids wanted to know how we kept it together for 50 years, and the answer is simple. We made all the important decisions together and never lied to each other, although I never did believe that SOLO, his Pomeranian, followed him home. He loved that little dog and one of his final wishes is for their ashes to be combined and scattered together in the ocean that they enjoyed admiring together.
KLEMETH and SUSIE BECKER Were Married July 1st 1967
KLEMETH was Called Home January 8th 2018
Teresa (oldest daughter):
My dad; a man that took on the challenge of a ready-made family with 4 girls, that became daughters. He knew the difference between when to be the friend, and when to be the parent. Disciplining when necessary. He had an adventurous side that would decide to take an impromptu road trip with everybody to California for a "cup of coffee, and breakfast with grandma Elizabeth ", make up stories about rusted out ships on the beach, and to be the FIRST one to make noise on Christmas morning. He was patient. He loved me even though I was probably the most difficult daughter to deal with, and when I finally got round to apologizing for my stupidity and ignorance he forgave me. He was my daddy and I Loved him. My daddy-O, and I always will.
Klemeth Von Becker
August 15, 1931-January 8, 2018
Elizabeth (oldest granddaughter):
Grandpa, “adventures guaranteed, instructions not included…” says it all. I may not remember every adventure and I am sure there were days when you had hoped for instructions about how to deal with some of what we came across in those adventures. I do remember going on walks to the park during the summers, and long warm car rides to California. When my father figure walked away you stepped up to the plate to fill that void. You were the one to watch me grow up, graduate high school, join the Army, and start college. You were the one David called to ask for my hand and you were the one to walk me down the aisle. Thank you for all you have done for me. I love you and will always cherish the times we spent on our adventures.
I love you Grandpa and will miss you dearly.
Rebecca (daughter):
I was eight when he came into our lives. Nine when he asked us first to marry our mom. Since then until now he gave us his name, his time, his love and his arm as he walked us all down our aisles. He held our babies and their babies. From then until now I believe that "you are near even if I don't see you. You are with me even if you are far away. You are in my heart, in my thoughts, and in my life, always."
Shannon (granddaughter):
Looking back on the memories of the life we shared beneath the stars above, how could I have known that you’d ever say goodbye. Our lives are so much better because you asked 4 little girls to be their daddy. I’m glad that I didn’t know the way it all would end. I could have missed all the pain, but I would never have missed the dance.
Jase (great grandson):
People loved you and rushed to your side on Monday, January 8th. We arrived with tears in our eyes as you took your final breaths and left this earth. Heck, even Aunt Bev came the day after with such short notice.
We all love you, and I will share my memories with those who are too young to remember the great mark you left on this earth.
I love you Papo Sue
Erin (granddaughter):
When one of the men that you have looked up to your whole life is one of your hero’s. My hero’s don't wear capes, sports uniforms, or makes multimillion dollars playing a game.
Mine wore combat boots and worked on tanks.
He was a SSG in the Army. Today this man passed away. He now walks the streets made of gold with his beloved dog and oldest grandson.
Today I was fortunate enough to be with him as he left us.
Klemeth Von Becker you are loved and will be missed dearly.
Lindsey (granddaughter):
How do you condense a lifetime of memories to words to help strangers know someone you loved and who loved irrevocably and unconditionally? The first time I was stung by a bee (picking buttercups in the backyard), you were there. When I started kindergarten and graduated high school, you were there. The day I married Mike, you were there. Every big, important moment of my life you were there and you were proud of me. I will miss your laugh, your stories, your fierce support of our local sports teams, but most of all, I will miss you and remember you, always and forever.
Beverly (daughter):
Klemeth V. Becker a.k.a. Daddy
My first memory of him was at the age of 7 years when he proposed to us girls while we sat on the sofa for a new daddy.
I remember that first Christmas and “Santa” really came; I don’t know who was more excited four little girls or our new “Daddy”.
Daddy taught me so many things as the designated “tomboy, daughter,” like chopping wood, mowing the lawn, white glove inspections, and a little bit about electronics as we puttered in his shop.
Although daddy had a slight problem with remembering ages of HIS little girls when it came time for their first dates…
But the best advice he gave me came while I was in high school… “You can do better! If it is worth doing ALWAYS do your best.”
I will always love you DADDY,
Beverly
Michael (grandson):
I only met you once that I can remember. But you took that opportunity to share kind words and stories about my father. To tell me he was a good man. I wish I could have known you better. But the lesson you chose to give me before you left will be with me forever. Life's too short to let stupid things divide your family. Spread love. Spread forgiveness.
Rest well Grandpa.
Lana (youngest daughter):
Dad was married to Mom for 50 years this past July. When he married mom that July 1st in 1967, he also got 4 young daughters in the deal. For his new family, he and his new bride bought a new 3 bedroom, 1! bathroom rambler in Lakewood. Poor guy never had a chance because he also traded in his 2 door, 4 on the floor Gran Prix for a new Dodge station wagon for those 4 little pony-tailed girls to argue in on the way to family movie night at the Starlite drive-in. These times are forever in my memory bank which I refer to often. Other favorite memories include our new dad choking down green beans just to impress upon us to eat what is served because it is good for you. We already liked them! He hated green beans! As time went on, his 4 little girls grew up and gave him 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren whom he adored!! Dad and Mom still live in that 3 bedroom, 1! bathroom rambler in Lakewood and we all (the 4, the 9 and the 7) still gather there because it is HOME. We were all gathered there on January 8th as he was called to another home.
Good-bye Dad, I will always love you and miss you, xo
Sarah (granddaughter):
It found me, in the dark early hours of this morning, the grief of losing you finally found me. I will miss you. I will miss the witty sarcasm and undying love. I will miss your contagious laugh. I will miss the endless football conversations and your phone calls asking how Justin is doing after a Packers' loss. I love you. I love everything you stood for and everything you represented. I love every minute I got to spend with you. I am thankful you are no longer in pain and your hard fought battle is finally over. Rest In Peace
Katie (youngest granddaughter):
Rest in Paradise, my special grandfather.
Life will never be as sweet, as warm, as safe, as beautiful, as fun, as bright, or as perfect.
But on your behalf, I promise to keep moving forward because you always did. I promise to keep Grandma safe and full of love because you always did. I promise to keep the sarcasm and hard work coming, because you always did.
Thank you - for loving Maya as well as you did. She will never know a love better than yours. Thank you for playing pretend talking, family cereal, special pickups from school, playdoh fun, and always making Maya feel like the most special little girl.
You brought so much joy to this family. You walked into a home with 4 young girls and you never left; you made them your family.
you never left, you made them your family. ❤️
50 years you gave to Grandma, to all of us.
50 years, 4 kids, countless memories, 9 grandchildren, 4 dogs, 1 cat, 7 great -grand children, memories I will never forget and a family that will be forever.
I love you, grandpa. Thank you.
Maya (great granddaughter):
You’re the best Pappa Sue there ever was. Thank you for playing with me and being so funny. You cooked me bacon every morning I came over and shared Family Cereal with me and you thought it was only yours. Ha. I love you.
What’s your fondest memory of Klemeth?
What’s a lesson you learned from Klemeth?
Share a story where Klemeth's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Klemeth you’ll never forget.
How did Klemeth make you smile?