Rebecca Marion (Wilcox) Padberg 1918-1996

Becky was born September 1, 1918, in Andes, Montana, the second child of Clifford Minor and Ada Clauda Bronson Wilcox. The family already included daughter Claudine Luella, and later her brothers Winton Wilfred and Lewis Earl and sisters Gladys Ermina and Ruby Ruth. The family settled in Seattle where Becky graduated from high school.

In 1940 the Wilcox and Padberg families met in Texas County near Summersville, Missouri, where Clifford had moved to find work. The oldest Padberg son, Phillip, soon came courting, and Phil and Becky were married September 19, 1942. Phil, a radio operator, served in World War II in the Merchant Marine, while Becky remained near her family, now in Independence, Missouri. Christopher Clifford Padberg was born December 12, 1943 in the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital, the birthplace of all Becky and Phil's children.

After the war ended, Phil went to work with Trans World Airlines. Becky and Phil lived in several parts of the country. Daughter Ruthada Lee, (August 23, 1946) came while the family was in Nevada. In time, TWA moved Phil to Wichita, Kansas, where Dennis Earl (May 30, 1950) and Rebecca Susan (March 6, 1952 completed the family. The family lived many years in Wichita, where Becky was active in church work and saw all the children graduate from high school. Phil had later gone to work with Beech Aircraft Company, where he remained until he died in 1969.

The later years of Becky's life were spent in Missouri, as her children married, beginning their own families, giving Becky grandchildren to love. These years found Grandma Becky living with Ruthada Padberg Crabtree near Chillhowee, Missouri. In 1992, Becky retired to Resthaven, where she refreshed many friendships as others retired there from the many areas she had lived. There she was able to care for plants and enjoy quilting, two live-long loves. She enjoyed the church services, especially when her children shared their musical talents.

After several years of declining health, Grandma Becky died peacefully in her sleep January 24, 1996, in the hospital where her four children were born. Her memorial service is being held in that hospital's chapel. The family has bequeathed her body for medical research.