The signs on the building will still declare it to be Becker Florists. But for the first time since 1885, it will not be owned by the Becker family.

Current owners Brian, Bruce, Jeff and Lynda Becker have announced the sale of the business to Kyle and Destinee Johnson and Cole and Bri Johnson, who own Johnson Brothers Snow & Mow in Fort Dodge.

“We were all ready to retire,” Jeff Becker said Monday afternoon.

“Time moves on,” Bruce Becker added.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
This sign has marked the 1335 First Ave. N. location of Becker Florists for decades.

The new owners take over Wednesday.

“The biggest goal is to just get a good first year under our belt,” Kyle Johnson said Monday evening.

“We’re going to make some changes, but I think they are changes that will help everyone,” he added.

The Johnsons are buying the store and the greenhouse at 1335 First Ave. N. The Christmas tree farm north of Fort Dodge is not included in the sale.

Kyle Johnson said the business will still be called Becker Florists and the current 15 employees will be retained.

He added that he and his brother and their wives have been at the store often recently.

“We’ve been in and out of there for a good month now,” he said.

The Beckers and the Johnsons had been talking about the purchase for about six weeks.

“They’re Fort Dodge people and they’re young, energetic,” Jeff Becker said.

He added that since there are no younger generations of the Becker family interested in taking over the business, selling it to local people is the next best thing.

Brian, Bruce, Jeff and Lynda Becker are the fourth generation of the family to own the business, which was started in 1885 by Christopher Becker.

Bill and Minnie Becker were the second generation of owners, but Bill died at age 30 leaving his wife to run the business and raise their two sons.

Those sons, Bill and Ed Becker, were the third generation of owners.

Brian Becker said his generation of owners has been involved in the business since they were “old enough to pick up brooms.” They learned a lot of the work by doing it, he said.

There is no typical day on the job at the floral shop and greenhouse, he added.

“Every day is a new chapter,” he said.

And when he or any of the Beckers talk about every day at work, they really mean every day.

“The plants don’t take the weekend off,” Jeff Becker said.

In the floral business, there are definitely some times that are busier than others. Valentine’s Day is one of those times. The Beckers use the word crazy to describe the activity on that day, when there are 12 to 15 people out delivering flowers and another 10 or 12 back at the shop making floral arrangements.

Mother’s Day is another big holiday for flowers, but the pace isn’t as frantic. The orders and deliveries are spread out over an entire week.

During the Christmas season, the Becker team is busy with trees, fresh-made wreaths, poinsettias and candle centerpieces.

The crew at Becker Florists delivers flowers to funeral homes in Fort Dodge every day and to funeral homes within a 25-mile radius of the city on a regular basis.

The Beckers have seen some changes in floral arrangements over the years. Brian Becker remembers “gates of heaven,” which were very large floral arrangements in the shape of a gate that would be delivered to funeral homes on occasion.

Bruce Becker remembers “money tree” arrangements that had currency tied to them.

Then there were the men’s bouquets of the 1970s and 1980s that included a basic flower arrangement, a can of beer and a Playboy magazine.

According to Jeff Becker, florists work with people during some of the happiest times of their lives, such as weddings, and sad times such as funerals.

“You have all the emotions,” he said. “You work with them and try to do your best for them.”

What is the most rewarding part of the job?

“Sending people away with a smile on their face,” Bruce Becker said.