ECERRA-Mario Eleno, 52, of Nebraska City, NE was born on April 29, 1955, in Council Bluffs, IA to Brigido and Eleanor (Flores) Becerra. Mario grew up in Council Bluffs, IA and attended Edison Elementary School. He later attended Thomas Jefferson High School and graduated with the class of 1973. During his high school years, Mario played football and other school activities. Mario loved to golf, go bowling and watch the Chicago Bears and New York Yankees play. He enjoyed playing the guitar and singing to his granddaughter, Alicia. Mario enjoyed being home with his family, watching movies, and eating cheese popcorn. He also enjoyed taking his daughter, Sara , son, Mario, III, and granddaughter, Alicia to OPPD where he worked for over 20 years so they could ride on the bucket wheel. Mario passed away in rural Union, NE on Sunday, December 23, 2007, having reached the age of fifty-two years, seven months, and twenty-four days. He was preceded in death by his father Brigido Becerra, son Mario Becerra Jr., a brother Danny Becerra; and beloved aunt and uncle, Eleno and Natalia Aguirra. Mario is survived by his mother Eleanor Becerra of Council Bluffs, IA; former wife, Mary Becerra, rural Union, NE; daughters, Sara, rural Union, NE, Rachelle Ragland and husband, Tom, Nebraska City, NE, Cheri Madsen and husband, Eric, rural Union, NE, Samantha Dierberger and husband, Todd, Humboldt, NE; son, Brian Becerra and fiancee, Lesly Post, Bellevue, NE; grandchildren, Alicia Gubalke, Gabrielle, Thomas, Gracie, and Ella Ragland, Reese and Malayna Madsen, Ethan and Avery Jane Dierberger, and Mario Eleno Becerra, IV; sisters: Rachel Simmons and her husband James of Council Bluffs, IA; Henrietta Caballero of Omaha, NE; Brigida Winans and her husband Jim of St. Joseph, MO; Cecilia Baker and Sonia Osmers both of Council Bluffs, IA; brothers Raul Becerra and his wife Joyce of Council Bluffs, IA; Rudy Becerra and his wife Linda of Council Bluffs, IA; Gilbert Becerra and his wife Candy of Council Bluffs, IA; John Becerra and his wife Danna of Omaha, NE; Richard Becerra of Omaha, NE; and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 29, 2007, at the First United Methodist Church in Nebraska City, Nebraska with Reverend Jesse Brown officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday, December 28, 2007, at the Peterson Mortuary, 111 N. 11th ST. Nebraska City, NE. Family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. Interment will be at the Wyuka Cemetery in Nebraska City, NE. Memorials may be given to the Mario Becerra III Scholarship Fund. Wherry Mortuary - Humboldt, NE