Henry “Stumpy” Anthony Becker Jr.

Henry “Stumpy” Anthony Becker Jr. passed away on Monday, July 8, 2024, at home, surrounded by his family, at the age of 74. 

He was born to Henry and Delores Becker on March 29, 1950, in San Diego, Calif. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. Stumpy was the oldest of six siblings and spent his childhood enjoying fishing, hunting, and swimming, passions which continued into adulthood. He received his lifelong nickname, “Stumpy,” from childhood friends.

He graduated from Caledonia High School in 1968 and completed his auto mechanics degree from Winona Tech in 1970. After graduating, his early jobs included driving cement truck, working on the Texas pipeline, and bartending with his parents at Myron and Delores’ Bar in Caledonia, before pursing his own business endeavors.

Stumpy met the love of his life, Jackie, in 1972 and they married on October 4, 1975, in Caledonia, Minn. Together, they raised a beautiful family of six children and built a legacy in the Rushford community and the surrounding southeast Minnesota area.

Stumpy’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish many successful businesses. He built, owned, and operated Stumpy’s Bar and Restaurant for 25 years in Rushford, Stumpy’s Concessions, Becker Tree farm, Becker Properties, and co-owned Bluff View Campground. He had a love for Christmas trees and his dream of growing a tree farm was fulfilled in 1998, when the Becker Tree Farm was established in Peterson, Minn.

Stumpy was a dedicated family man who treasured his time with his wife, family, and especially his grandchildren. He was extremely proud of his children. He never missed their sporting or school events, was actively involved in his sons’ Boy Scout trips, loved taking his family on vacations, and spent many weekends with his family at Money Creek Campground.

He loved traveling with his friends to Las Vegas every year and was able to go on fishing trips to Alaska in his later years. Attending auctions, spending time at his tree farm, hunting, fishing, and playing cards were a few of his hobbies. The National Wild Turkey Federation banquet was something he looked forward to each year with his dad, brother, sons and sons-in-law.

Stumpy was a true jokester, and always had that twinkle in his eye when giving people a hard time. He was a loyal man full of wisdom, a respected businessman, and a pillar of the community – a Rushford legend. It was a privilege to know him and an honor to receive any of his business knowledge. His family will continue to carry on his legacy.

Stumpy is preceded in death by his parents Delores (Hosch) Burmaster, Henry Becker and Myron Burmaster; father-in-law Maynard Welscher, sister-in-law Jean Ann Welscher, brother-in-law Gary Schutz, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. 

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jackie (Welscher); six children: Susan (Tom) Foley, Jeanie (Greg) Kumlien, Henry (Julie) Becker, Katie (Andy) Bauer, Anna (Nathan) Baker, and Tony Becker (Amy Todd); nine grandchildren: Alisa, Teddy, George, Jimmy, Charlie, Ellie, Evy, Emmy and Eli; mother in-law Mary Welscher, siblings Bonnie (Mark) Goetzinger, Mary (Linus) Hammell, Dorothy Schutz (Greg Wilson), Mark (Cari) Burmaster, and Donna (Todd) Boutelle; siblings in-law Jeanie (Dennis) Homewood, John (Dianne) Welscher, Joe (Nancy) Welscher, Jim (Laura) Welscher, Judy (Pat) Christian, Jan (Sandy) Welscher, Jay (Angie) Welscher, and Janice (Bob) Haxton; and by aunts, uncle, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins and cherished friends.

A celebration of life honoring Stumpy will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024. Visitation is from 9–11:45 a.m. at Holy Family Hall and Funeral Mass at 12 p.m., both located at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Caledonia, Minn. Please join us for lunch at the Blue View Dairy Farm at 10008 County Rd 14, Caledonia, Minn., following the service to celebrate Stumpy’s remarkable life. The family request that you share stories and memories and have a cold PBR or Michelob in his honor. Stumpy will be greatly missed by the many lives he touched.

The family would like to thank Valley View Health Care and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic Hospice, and Stumpy’s lifelong primary physician, Dr. Merfeld, for their compassionate care. 

McCormick Funeral Home, Caledonia is assisting the family.