April 1, 1928
Peter R. Becker was born April 1, 1928 to Felix & Minnie Becker. He has one sister, Jean Hargrenves. He was married to Lassie Miller in 1960. They were married over 40 years until Lassie’s death in 2001. Together they raised 4 daughters, Tinka, Tracey, Trudy and Becky. He has been married to Mary Koester for 4 years.
Pete has worked and lived on the ranch, “Pete Becker Inc.” his entire life, the ranch that his grandfather started over 100 years ago. He has increased the size of the ranch from a few hundred acres to 22,000 acres. He loves everything about ranching and the Nebraska Sandhills. He raises black angus cattle and Quarter horses. He usually has about 1,100 cows on the ranch, approximately 25-30 brood mares and 15-20 working ranch horses. Every spring, the ranch is overflowing with his baby calves and the colts which are his pride and joy. Pete refuses to use 4-wheelers on the ranch. He says “that’s why we have good saddle horses”! He loves his cows and horses and the land they graze. He is a cowboys, cowboy.
Pete also has 10 granddaughters: Heather (Chris) Seebohm; Brittany (Casey) Bach; Brandy (Andrew) Soucie; Jaycee (Tanner) Kezar; Tinka Taylor; Jordan & Lauren Moller; Madison Kistler; Meghan and Molly Beans. He has added 8 great grandchildren to his female herd, 2 of which are finally boys and great grandchild # 9 is due in August which is a boy!
Pete also was active with High School Rodeo Association in Nebraska when 2 of his daughters competed in the 1980’s.
Pete has been featured in articles in the Western Horseman magazine, the Nebraska Cattleman and the Quarter Horse Journal. In 2001 he was an AQHA Legacy Award winner. In 1993 Pete’s Ranch was selected to be a part of the World Angus Forum. Pete was a charter member of the Rodeo Club at the University of Lincoln. Pete’s horses have been chosen to be part of the Colorado State University Colt starting program, “The Legends of Ranching”, for the past several years.