Donald Becker
In 1950, Donald dropped out of high school to join the Air Force, much to the chagrin of his brothers. During his time in the Air Force, he served as a Gunner and was stationed in Texas, Colorado and Washington State. It was while serving in the Air Force, through a mutual friend, that he saw a picture of Lorraine Ferkan. He decided he wanted to meet her and wrote her a letter. When Donald left the service in 1952, he returned to Blue Island and went to work for his brother Art. He also went and introduced himself to Lorraine. One day he saw her walking home and gave her a ride in the Jay’s potato chip truck he was driving for work. Donald and Lorraine started dating at about the same time she entered nursing school in 1953 and they were engaged on Thanksgiving 1954. Donald and Lorraine were married on October 15, 1955 at the First Lutheran Church and settled in Harvey, Illinois. In about 1958, Donald starting working for Sears.
Donald had arthritis and ongoing problems with his knees. His doctor suggested he move to a dry climate. Donald and Lorraine moved to Yucaipa, California on February 16, 1962 and Don was able to continue working for Sears. They joined Faith Lutheran Church and became very active members. In July 1963, they adopted their daughter, Pamela Lynn. In January 1965, they adopted their son, Donald Scott. They moved to Redlands, California in 1966.
In about 1968 or 1969, after over 10 years with Sears, Donald took a job with Hunt Wesson. The family then moved to Eagle Rock, California (near Los Angeles) in 1970. In the spring of 1971, Donald took a new job and the family moved to Illinois and settled in Crystal Lake, IL. However, they moved back to Redlands, California in the summer of 1972 following several bouts of pneumonia for Scott during the cold Illinois winter. After returning to California, Donald returned to his job with Hunt Wesson Foods. In 1974, the family moved to Placentia, California to be closer to Don’s work. In 1975, Don took a job with S.E. Rykoff & Co. and worked there until his death in 1989. While with S.E. Rykoff, Don earned numerous awards for his salesmanship. He also traveled extensively for work.
With the kids more or less out of the house by the mid-1980’s, Donald and Lorraine enjoyed travelling to Lake Tahoe. In the fall of 1989, they bought a cabin near Lake Tahoe.
Donald had arthritis and ongoing problems with his knees. His doctor suggested he move to a dry climate. Donald and Lorraine moved to Yucaipa, California on February 16, 1962 and Don was able to continue working for Sears. They joined Faith Lutheran Church and became very active members. In July 1963, they adopted their daughter, Pamela Lynn. In January 1965, they adopted their son, Donald Scott. They moved to Redlands, California in 1966.
In about 1968 or 1969, after over 10 years with Sears, Donald took a job with Hunt Wesson. The family then moved to Eagle Rock, California (near Los Angeles) in 1970. In the spring of 1971, Donald took a new job and the family moved to Illinois and settled in Crystal Lake, IL. However, they moved back to Redlands, California in the summer of 1972 following several bouts of pneumonia for Scott during the cold Illinois winter. After returning to California, Donald returned to his job with Hunt Wesson Foods. In 1974, the family moved to Placentia, California to be closer to Don’s work. In 1975, Don took a job with S.E. Rykoff & Co. and worked there until his death in 1989. While with S.E. Rykoff, Don earned numerous awards for his salesmanship. He also traveled extensively for work.
With the kids more or less out of the house by the mid-1980’s, Donald and Lorraine enjoyed travelling to Lake Tahoe. In the fall of 1989, they bought a cabin near Lake Tahoe.