Rebecca “Becky” Lynne (Merritt) Rawson, 65, of Rural Alburnett, Iowa, was born May 2, 1956, in Springville, Iowa, to Earl and Lucille (Balik) Merritt. She passed away October 5, 2021, after a courageous five-year battle with cancer. Visitation will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 10, 2021, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion, Iowa. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 11, 2021, with visitation an hour prior at the funeral home. Burial will be immediately following the funeral service at West Prairie Cemetery in rural Alburnett.
Becky graduated from Springville High School in 1974. She was active as a class officer, annual editor, and a National Honor Society member. Becky was involved in various sports, 4-H, and showing cattle at many local and national shows. She was part of the National Shorthorn Association, serving as a state officer and Shorthorn Queen. Becky graduated from Kirkwood Community College with a degree in accounting. On September 9, 1978, Becky married Alan R. Rawson at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Marion. The couple had a family farm north of Alburnett, where they raised their three boys, dairy cattle, and crops. She was a 4-H leader for five years. She worked for Nash Finch, Sunmart, Metoo, and Econofoods. Becky then retired from Walmart after ten years. She enjoyed attending her children and grandchildren’s sporting events, sewing and crafts. Becky took great pride in planting her garden each year, canning, and sharing her harvest with family and friends. One of Becky’s most cherished traditions was attending the Iowa State Fair. This year marked her 65th year in attendance. Becky’s other favorite traditions included attending tractor pulls with Alan and going on sister trips.
Becky is survived and lovingly remembered by her husband, Alan; children, Marcus (Melissa), Kyle (Lauren), and Derek (Kira), all of rural Alburnett; grandchildren, Presley, Tucker, Wilder, McKenna, Mya, Lynnden, Steiger, Corissa, Dalton, Kianna, and Lillian; siblings, Beverly (Gary) Peters, Brad (Theresa) Merritt, Sandy Merritt, Betty (Jason) Kirklin; mother-in-law, Donna Rawson; sister-in-law, Lori (Chris) Shadden; and many nieces and nephews; as well as her kitties, Smokey and Mykee.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Lucille Merritt; sister and brother-in-law, Jerry and Barbara Norman; brothers, Bill and Robert Merritt; father-in-law, Kenneth Rawson; grandparents, Joseph and Florence Balik, and Frank and Rose Merritt; and the family’s oh so loved grandma, Rocky.
The family would like to offer special thanks to PCI Oncology and the many caring professionals at the Pulmonary Specialty Unit in St. Luke’s Hospital for their loving care of Becky.
A Memorial fund has been established in Becky’s name.