Long-time local resident Janet Boettcher passed away last week, leaving behind a legacy of community service to the Becker area.

She spent her early years on the Kolbinger family farm, northeast of Becker, but when the home was destroyed by a fire, she and her siblings and parents moved into town where she lived for the remainder of her life.

Janet spent several years as a part-time employee for the City of Becker, until she was hired full-time in the 1970’s into the position of City Clerk, a job she held for 25 years.  During that time, she was part of Becker’s transformation from a poor village with dirt roads to a more prosperous community that played host to NSP’s coal-burning power generation facility.  As Clerk, Boettcher was part of the local contingent that made the trip to New York to sign the paperwork that paved the way for the plant’s construction.

While Janet was tending to the duties at City Hall, her husband, Jim, was the long-time Becker Public Works Director and Fire Chief.  The couple was married for 58 years before Jim’s passing in 2013 and together they raised three children: Debbie, Jimmy and Mike.

Becker residents likely remember Janet for two of her other community-service oriented positions that put her squarely in the public eye.  She led the Becker Food-shelf for 30 years and was also a long-time election judge for the city.  In both of those roles, she interacted frequently with the community and became well-known to the citizenry. 

This past week, Janet’s children had a chance to reflect on their mom’s life, as well as what it was like to be raised in a small town where their parents knew seemingly everyone.

“She was fiercely proud and also fiercely loyal,” Mike recalled.  “You did not worry her, embarrass her or mess up her house.”

Brother Jimmy also remembers the orderly way that Janet maintained the home and shared a chuckle at his mom’s keen eye.

“When she went to work, it was our job to clean the house which included vacuuming and raking the shag carpet,” he recalled.  “We would try to skip the vacuuming part and she knew every time.”

Daughter Debbie remembered the more recent years, when Janet would spend five days a week doing the shopping and finding the best deals for the Becker food shelf even if it meant driving to numerous stores to leverage the biggest coupons.  

All three children commented that Janet was a strict mom, but that she also liked to have fun.  They were also quick to point out that Janet was loving in her own way.  

“She may not have been one to say mushy things or give a lot of hugs, but she was always doing something for you or getting you something you needed,” recalled Jimmy.  

Those traits were also very evident as the kids grew up and Janet started to play host to grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“She knew what every one of them liked and would always put out all of their favorite foods when they came over,” recalled Jimmy.  “She had games for them, toys and loved to take them shopping.”

It turns out that Janet’s skills were well-suited to being a mom and grandparent, as well as to being a caretaker for the Becker community.  They were all jobs she enjoyed throughout her life, while her family and all Becker residents were the fortunate beneficiaries of her multitude of talents.

Her death leaves a void for her family and the Becker community.  But the memories of her life will ensure that her legacy continues to inspire for years to come.