NAPA - Our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and best friend passed away in Napa. Harvey passed away at Napa Nursing Center from natural causes on Oct. 26, 2009, exactly one week short of his 91st birthday.

Harvey was born in rural Verndale, Minn., on Nov. 2, 1918, to Henry and Elsie Becker.

He was the second youngest of eight brothers and sisters.

Harvey married Betty Hines on Sept. 6, 1939. They enjoyed 69 years of married life together before Betty passed away in October 2008.

During their early years, they worked together on their farm. During World War II they moved to Long Beach where Harvey worked in the shipyards.

They returned to Minnesota to farm and build their own home. In 1954 they moved to San Rafael, Calif., with their daughter Janice born in 1940 and son Dennis born in 1944.

Harvey was truly a member of the “Greatest Generation.” He did chores on his parents’ farm, starting at 4 years of age.

He worked as hard as a man at 12 and worked in a sawmill at 16. He has been a member of the Carpenters Union for more than 50 years.

After retirement in 1980, they moved to Vacaville where he did handyman work for the next 23 years. He was never afraid to work.

Some of the greatest joys Harvey got out of life were when he helped others. Children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends all benefited from Harvey’s knowledge of construction and woodworking.

He helped with room additions, remodels and repairs, in addition to building furniture as gifts. He built a family home in Minnesota and a vacation home in California.

Over the years Harvey and Betty loved to travel in their motor home.

They took many vacations to Minnesota and other states to visit family. After retirement in 1980 they took an extended trip to Alaska.

After his family and work, Harvey’s next greatest loves were hunting and fishing.

From his younger days in Minnesota, where he hunted pheasants, ducks and grouse, to California, where he hunted deer, ducks and pheasants, he loved to hunt.

Wherever he traveled he fished, from the lakes of Minnesota, to the California ocean shore to Alaska rivers. He mentored his children and grandchildren on the joys and nuances of hunting and fishing. Everyone loved to be with Grandpa.

Harvey also loved to tell stories of the good old days in Minnesota.

He would tell these stories to anyone who would listen, but he especially enjoyed passing them on to his kids and grandkids.

He talked about herding turkeys and cows when he was 6 years old and being followed by a wolf, to trapping skunks with his brother, to harvesting ice from the frozen river to sell.

He lived during the Great Depression but he never knew they were poor because there was always food on the table.

Harvey was predeceased by his wife, Betty; daughter Jan Scarborough; youngest granddaughter Deanna Becker; his parents; and six brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his sister, Lorna Hanson of St. Paul, Minn.; son Dennis and daughter-in-law Nancy of Napa; grandchildren Stuart (Margarath) Scarborough of Long Beach; Mary Beth (Gordon) Collado of Winters; Dennise (Jim) Pritchard of Placerville; Lori Scarborough of North Highlands; Carol (Ben) Blanchard of Chandler, Ariz.; Steve Becker of Yountville; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Harvey was a loving and caring person who was loved by all. He worked hard and never complained.

The family would like to express sincere love and appreciation to caregiver Eileen Espinoza and to the nurses and staff of Napa Nursing Center who are our friends and took care of Harvey for the last 11 months.

Services are private.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Napa Valley Ducks Unlimited, 2314 Lakepark Drive, Napa, CA 94558.

Condolences may be shared with family online at www.treadwayandwiggerfuneralchapel.com.