For much of his life, Peter Michael Becker Jr. was a hardworking, wisecracking member of the close-knit Port Washington farming community.

Peter, 61, died at home on Jan. 28, within weeks of being diagnosed with cancer.

He was born Aug. 26, 1963, the son of Peter and Janet (Karrels). Pete grew up on the family dairy farm on Hwy. LL in the Town of Port Washington — living his entire life in four different houses on that rural road.

Pete graduated from Port Washington High School in the Class of 1981.

After working on the family farm, he decided to pursue a welding career at TRAK International in Port Washington.

Pete married Stacy Witte on May 25, 2001, in Grafton. The itch to get back into farming led the couple to take delivery on a herd of dairy cows the same year they married. He combined daily milking duties with his full-time job as a welder.

After TRAK closed its local plant in 2003, Pete worked solely in farming.

When the couple sold their cows in 2011, Pete continued working area farmland, raising mostly corn, wheat and soybeans. He also worked at De Master Trucking in Cedar Grove and then as a welder at Voeller Mixers in Port Washington.

Despite his busy schedule, Pete would repair his own farm machinery and help friends with plowing and combining whenever asked.

He enjoyed attending farm auctions, and especially taking evening "crop drives" through the countryside with his wife, making sure to check on the progress of the sunflowers Pete had planted just for Stacy. He proudly drove his vintage John Deere tractors during the annual Jentges' tractor drives. Pete's pride and joy was his John Deere 6030.

Eventually, he learned to relax a little, enjoying trips to Door County, but sometimes visiting farm implement dealerships along the route.

Never one for dressing up, Pete was seldom seen without a John Deere hat atop his head and a broad grin on his face.

Friends remember him as loyal, down-to-earth and a jokester. Family members noted no place was off limits for one of his naps.

Pete is survived by his wife Stacy; children Michael and Emma; siblings Gerald Becker, Karen (Bob) Snook, LuAnn (Tim) Burmesch and Tommy (Jenny) Becker; sister-in-law Mackenzie (Zach) Dommer; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives; and many, many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and other extended family.

Visitation will be at Eernisse Funeral Home, 1600 W. Grand Ave., Port Washington, on Friday, Feb. 7 from 2 to 5 pm, followed by a memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to a charity of the donor's choice.