Rebecca Lynn Hasselmann

Rock Rapids, IA Rebecca "Becky" Lynn Hasselmann, age 57 of Rock Rapids, IA died Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at her home in Rock Rapids, after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Monday, Dec. 28th at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, with Rev. Dan Haggar and Rev. Katie Van Veldhuizen officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids. Visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 27th from 2:00 to 6:00 PM, with the family present from 3:00 to 6:00 PM at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids. Rebecca Lynn (Becky Appel) Hasselmann was born on September 25, 1952, in Rock Rapids, Iowa. She was the first child of Peter, Jr. and Jeanette (Dykers) Appel. When Becky was four, her family moved to Enumclaw, Washington, where she attended Kindergarten. After one year, they moved back to Rock Rapids where Becky attended Rock Rapids Elementary School through 6th grade. The summer before Becky entered 7th grade, her family moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where she attended Whittier Junior High School and Lincoln Senior High School. Beckys family moved back to Rock Rapids the summer before her junior year, and she graduated in 1970 from Central Lyon High School. In November 1970, she began her 38+ year career as an engineering technician at DeWild Grant Reckert and Associates Company (DGR). On April 21, 1972, Becky married the love of her life, Leonard Butch Hasselmann, Jr. at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids. Together they raised two children, Stephanie Lynn (You Are My Sunshine) and Jeffrey Peter (You Are My Calming Spirit). Becky was baptized at and was a member of First Reformed Church. She served as a Girls League co-sponsor, was an assistant for children and worship, sang in Praise Team and Christmas and Easter cantatas, was on the Associate Pastor search committee when Pastor Katie was called, was a member of Grace Circle, and was involved in a beading group for a church expansion project fundraiser. Becky also belonged to a very special small group of four girls who shared concerns, prayed for themselves and others, and formed a strong bond and connection with each other. Becky served on several community organizations including CAC board, Central Lyon Foundation fundraiser planning committee, President of Music Boosters, and the Central Lyon PTC. She was a former member and served on the boards of Iota Tau, Xi Zeta Kappa, and Preceptor Gamma Psi Chapters of Beta Sigma Phi. Becky loved to help Butch with the landscaping and gardening in their yard, and enjoyed going to nurseries to look for a special new plant. Spending time with her children and grandchildren"the lights of her life"was very important to Becky. She loved to visit her mom and dad in Florida, and cherished time spent with her brothers and their families and with her in-laws. Becky also loved traveling with her two very special cousins, Marcia and Kathy, and her friends. On December 22, 1999, Becky was diagnosed with breast cancer. On December 22, 2009, exactly ten years later, Becky won her battle to receive victory with Jesus in her eternal home in Heaven. She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Butch; daughter Stephanie (John) Morstad of Albertville, MN; son Jeff (Janell) of Spencer, IA; grandson Carter William Bear Hasselmann; granddaughter Ella Kathryn Angel Girl Morstad; mother Jeanette Appel of Lakeland, FL; two younger brothers: Robert (Paulette) Appel of Spencer, IA; Randall (Patricia) Appel of North Mankato, MN; mother-in-law Mary Hasselmann of Sioux Falls, SD; sisters-in-law Linda (Mike) Tarutis of Brooklyn Park, MN; Marge (fianc Dave Pollard) Knox of Sioux Falls, SD; six nieces and one nephew: Heather, Robert, Portia, Karissa, Kandyce, Laura, and Lindsay, six great nieces and nephews: McClaren, Karson, Avelyn, Ruby, Jack, and Beau and very special cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends. Becky was preceded in death by her dad: Peter Appel, Jr.; father-in-law: Leonard William Hasselmann, Sr.; grandparents: Henry and Betje Dykers; and Peter Sr. and Jantje Appel; Aunts: JoAnne (Dykers) Skar; Nellie (Dykers) Keating, Ruth Dykers, and Mary Lou Dykers; Uncles: Johnny Dykers, John Appel, and Dick Appel; and special cousin: Herbert John Dykers, Jr. Blessed Be Her Memory.