Loretta Margaret Theresa Schreiner Becker, born Feb. 10, 1922, age 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, January 7, 2016, as a result of a massive stroke. Loretta was the highly respected Matriarch of her family. She was Royal "Bud's" beloved wife, Roger "Butch" & Carole's loving mother, grandmother of five, great grandmother of nine, aunt and dear friend to many. She is known for her love of life and family.

She started life in Plain, WI born to Herb and Emma (Nachreiner) Schreiner. The large Schreiner family consisted of 13 wonderful children which includes three sets of twins born consecutively.
Loretta attended St. Luke's grade & high school and loved her annual Easter hill climbs from St. Luke's Church to St. Anne's Chapel on Council Bluff with her family. As a teen, she and Bud fell in love and married. God blessed them with two children; Carole & Butch Becker.

Loretta's career began as a "Rosie the Riveter" at Badger Ordnance helping WW2 fighters including her three brothers, Bub, Satch and Don. Next she worked at the Devi Bara Resort, Springs Factory in Middleton, followed by her 30+ years serving disabled children at Wisconsin Central Center. She received many lauds for inventions & procedures that helped improve care. Incredibly she never missed a single day of work and her leader and mentor Dr. Tousaint often remarked "why is it you can make it to work in any Wisconsin winter storm from 40 miles away and others much closer can't?!" Anyone who knew Loretta knows she could drive anything, anytime, anywhere. She continued to drive into her early 90's. After retirement, Loretta was blessed with many years enjoying what she loved best, spending time with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews and friends.
Loretta and Bud were generous, kind people, sharing their love & home with foster children, family and animals of all types (dogs, cats, raccoons "Harvey", deer "Bombie", monkey "Chuckles", birds, squirrel's "Jake", fish, and even an occasional pony invited in) throughout their lives. There are many people who attribute their success in life to the help and love Loretta gave unconditionally.
Loretta was the family rock. She had endless energy, could solve any problem and was fondly referred to as the "ever ready battery" able to rebound from everything. No problem was ever too big and her motto was "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Acknowledge the Lord, and he will light your way!"

Loretta is survived by, sister Maxine Nelson; sister in-laws, Mary, Dorothy, and Teda Schreiner; children, Carole Becker (Don Schmidt) and Butch Becker (Kathy Meise); daughter-in-law, Roberta "Bobbie" Becker; grandchildren, Karen (Geoff) Heitke, Eric Engen, Kristen (Tony) Cole, Robert (Becky) Becker; great-grandchildren, Brittany Widmer & Garrett Heitke, Andrew & Jacob Engen, Carole, Kari & Camille Cole, Aubrey & Deven Becker. We wish we could list all of Loretta's nieces and nephews because you all were so loved by her but there wouldn't be enough room. You know who you are!

Loretta's family in heaven includes her parents, Herb and Emma, siblings Edna, Leona, Florian "Bub", Julius "Satch", Julia "Judy", Laura, Madeline, Marian, Dorothy, Donald "Don" and Marcia "Marcy", her husband Bud, and her beloved grandson Benjamin "Gentle Ben" who are all celebrating today.

The family wants to thank everyone for their heartfelt sympathy, support and prayers. A very special thanks from Loretta and her family to Sauk Prairie Hospital and Clinic nurses and doctors particularly Dr. McAuliffe and Kathy Holum, Ballweg Pharmacy staff, United Home Health Staff, Four Winds Staff, St. Mary's Rehabilitation staff and Hooverson Funeral Home staff. All gave so much care and love to Loretta and her family in the past years. We could not have made her last years as happy for her without you and we cannot adequately put in words how grateful we are to all.

Loretta's strong will and body would not let go until all of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren had a chance to say good-bye. She struggled on until the last great grand-child Carole could make it back home. As Carole walked into the room Grandma breathed her last beautiful breath, always thinking of others to the very last minute.

The Celebration of her Life and Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Fri., Jan, 15, 2016 at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Plain. A Visitation will be held from 9:30 am until the time of service. Interment will be held in the Harrisburg Cemetery, Troy Township. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established.