Becky Jean Alt

The summer of 1975 was about to begin when baby Rebecca Jean was born to Greg and Julie Eby, on June 12th. She was brought home and raised as a county girl outside of Helena. Her life was school and 4H and country music. There were cows with her dad and mud fights with her brother Jake, and of course learning how to cook with her mom. And she certainly learned to cook. She had lots of extended family and they loved to get together and there was always something delicious cooking. Becky graduated from Helena High School in 1993 and decided to try out Bozeman. She spent time at MSU, studying and making lots of new friends. She was in a group of college aged women who rented a place they named "The Hen House." The hens have spread out across the country, but have stayed close over the years. It was at this time that Becky acquired the nickname Mama Beck. Even among friends her own age, she was already everybody's mom. During that same period in her life Becky made a decision to follow Christ. The roots of belief that began then, continued growing throughout her life. Her faith was a constant source of strength, as well as a comfort through life's challenges. It was in Bozeman that Becky met a guy from Minnesota named Mike. She overlooked the fact that he was from out of state and started wondering if he might be the one. We can only imagine the first time Becky brought Mike home to meet her parents. Her dad must have looked twice when the strong young man in the fluorescent colored (hot pink) rubber crocs offered to help him move irrigation pipes. How exactly the story of Mike and Becky began, what started back then is one of the great love stories that any of us has ever seen. On a Saturday in September they stood up in front of their friends and families and made those specific promises to each other. She was smiling when she said, "I do." He was a little more nervous, but he spoke the words with conviction. They drove away from their wedding, honking and honking as a friend had wired their horn to the brake pedal. Mike and Becky celebrated their 21st anniversary a few weeks before she died, and all of those promises had been kept. Most recently, it was those truest words, "in sickness and in health." Becky started out as the mother of friends, and then along came Nicholas. And early did he come. HIs life started off with lots of tubes, and nerves and many prayers and long weekend drives by his parents to see him in the Denver Children's Hospital. It took 4 months of amazing care, before Mike and Becky got to bring their baby home. Forever known to his mom as Nickers, she was so proud at his high school graduation this past May. Nick was first, and after that they just kept coming. When Becky married Mike, she knew that life would be a little bit unconventional. She was a country girl and did we mention that he was from Minnesota? But knowingly or not, Becky had met the perfect partner in Mike. He has a giant heart and she had arms that could surround a person with love, and together they loved children. They felt the tug of compassion and were soon licensed as foster parents. Over the years 32 kids spent time in their home. Some for a short time. Some for a year. They were part of the family. And she was still fostering on the day she passed away. Foster parenting is not an easy undertaking and requires deep wells of kindness and gentleness and love. It also requires the abiding belief that loving someone in a hard moment, will produce long lasting rewards. Becky didn't always get to know what happened with every child she handed back after the season in her arms. But she trusted that God would protect them and bless their lives. She didn't let go of all the kids who came into her life. Cassidy, LLiam and Austin all become permanent fixtures in her family. Adoption is a beautiful thing and each time the judge decreed that the name of Alt was officially attached to one of her boys, there were family and friends on hand to cheer and celebrate with Becky and Mike. Cassidy was her Cass Man. Lliam she called Lue. And her little smiley Austie. Four energetic boys and always a dog or 2 and a baby who needed safe keeping and a hungry husband. Becky had her hands full, but there was always room for more. Becky loved to cook, and everyone appreciated it. She invited people to eat with them and no one ever went away without seconds. She cooked at church camps, including a whole summer in the kitchen at Camp on the Boulder. She most recently was making delicious food for little kids as the cook at Bozeman Head Start. It is hard to sum up one person's life in a few short paragraphs. There is always something more. Becky was a leader of the youth group at Bozeman Summit Church. She loved a cold glass of Coke over ice. She texted out goofy selfies. She loved to spend time in Helena at her parent's ranch. She loved, loved, loved her friends. You know who you are. And there was Kosovo. That little country north of Greece, where the people speak Albanian. Mike and Becky have friends who are missionaries there, and over the years they both took a number of trips. Becky visited 8 times and developed a great love for the country and the Kosovar people. She went with the heart of a servant to lend a hand and to serve the people she met with the love of Christ. Last year she helped lead a conference for women. Becky was a world traveler and helped change it for the better. We are all shocked at the unexpectedness of Becky's passing, on September 27, 2020. This shouldn't happen and this shouldn't happen this fast. In a conversation Mike said, "She lived an intentional life. She couldn't change the whole world, but she changed her corner of it." Indeed, she did. I'm sure she would tell us now, "Take care of my boys" and as she said it, she would be pointing at Mike, so we'd remember to add him to that list. Becky was a woman of deep faith. She believed that someday she would get to experience a place called heaven. She believed the words of Jesus, when he said, "I am going to prepare a place for you." And today is that someday for our dear Becky. Becky is survived by her husband Mike and sons Nicholas, Cassidy, LLiam and Austin; her parents Greg and Julie Eby; mother-in-law, Marie Alt; brother Jake (Jenna) Eby and kids Alivia and Jayce; Mike's brother Jim (Beril) Alt and kids Bella, Livvy, and Mia; Mike's sister Karen (Bob) Symonds. There are so many members of her extended family. She is also survived by the foster kids she held in her arms. And she is survived in the hearts and minds of many, many friends. Rebecca Jean. Mama Beck. Mom. Becky.... (Memorials for the family can be given for the Alts through Bozeman Summitt Church.)