MADISON - Born in Yekaterinburg, Russia, on March 23, 1996, our Alexandra Svetlana left us on Aug. 17, 2024. She lived a year in various hospitals and an orphanage before we adopted her. We were told she was a favorite, with her upside-down almond eyes, willful personality, and big smile. They nicknamed her “Svietta,” a playful name for Svetlana, which means ‘light” in Russian. Immediately after joining our family, she had heart surgery to repair a large ductus. Her short life was filled with health challenges, both mental and physical. Her light was extinguished far too soon.

Alex was creatively driven. As a young child she loved to dance and sing to “Phantom of the Opera” and “Les Miserables.” She adored make-believe play and dress-up. Alex proudly sang in Kinderchor, the New Glarus children’s choir, emulating her brother, Hans Eric, who she looked up to. In middle school she blossomed into a writer and photographer, spending hours on a well curated photo shoot or writing a short story. She attended Interlochen summer arts academy and a theatre workshop at Occidental College, where she helped write and produce a play. She began creating art canvases and composing music. In high school Alex won a Tommy award for her performance as Mrs. Meers in “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” Alex had strong emotions and was greatly impacted by poverty and injustice. We always felt we were merely caretakers of her creative, sensitive, and artistic spirit.

Our family loved to travel, and we were able to return to Russia when Alex was 9 years old. She was able to see the country of her birth, their people, and Russia’s many artistic treasures.

Alex graduated from Horizon High School, a recovery high school in Madison, Wis. Her proudest accomplishment was graduating from Edgewood College a few short weeks ago, with a B.S. in Psychology. She worked at Tellurian Behavioral Health, a job she loved, helping people with substance use and mental health diagnoses find recovery. Her life experience informed her work.

Alex loved her family and enjoyed the many holidays and summer get togethers we shared. She adored her puppy, Laddie, and she and her brother spent many happy hours playing with him in the back yard. She was deeply connected to her Grandma and Grandpa Johnson. Grandma showed her how to sew a doll blanket and bake cookies and Grandpa taught her how to howl like a wolf. She had a knack for catching fish. She and Hans Eric had a favorite fishing hole on Yellowstone Lake; one year on Lake Mille Lacs, she was the only one in the area that managed a catch on a slow catch day. The fish was almost as big as she was! Alex relished being in nature; it seemed to provide her with solace and comfort.

Alex is survived by her mother, Katherine Johnson-Becklin; her step-father, Bob Hetico; brother, Hans Eric Becklin (Marissa); step-sisters, Emma Sotell (Erik) and Katrina Hetico; and her beloved cat and companion, Robert. She leaves behind aunts, uncles and cousins as well as “bonus grandparents,” Hedy and John Anderegg. She is predeceased by her father, Jay R. Becklin; maternal grandparents, Malcolm and Elizabeth Johnson; uncle, David M. Johnson; and paternal grandparents, Rudolph and Clara Becklin.  

A visitation will be held at MIDVALE COMMUNITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 4329 Tokay Blvd., Madison, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, with funeral services immediately following at 11 a.m. Pastor Katie Baardseth will officiate. A light lunch will follow.

The family thanks Dr. Alexandra McMurray for many years of care for Alex.

Memorials may be made to “Horizon High School of Madison” and sent to the family in care of Gunderson East Funeral Home; the memorials and a family contribution will be made to establish a scholarship in Alex’s name.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420