Rebecca was born in Roorkee, India, on Dec. 30, 1972. Her father was a career military officer in the Indian Army. While he was stationed in Jammu and Kashmir, Rebecca met her future husband, Jon, in 1992. In 1994, they married in Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir. They had five children, Jethro, Ari, Jeshua, Jerusha and Janissa. In 2001, Jon and Rebecca moved their family from India to the Fairmont area of southern Minnesota, where they lived until her death.

Rebecca “Saru” was beloved by all who knew her as a warm and caring woman. She loved to touch others’ lives with kindness and compassion. Rebecca was deeply involved with her local church, where she was a frequent volunteer and a Sunday school teacher for many years. It was her joy to make handmade baby blankets for newborns and elegant dresses for little girls, because, in her words, “every little girl deserves to feel like a princess.” Rebecca loved cooking, and her cuisine was widely regarded as some of the best-tasting Indian food to be had. Rebecca loved being a grandmother. Her greatest joy was family, and spending time with her grandchildren was a source of immense happiness for her.

Rebecca was preceded in death by her father, Col. Prakasam, in 2004. She is survived by family living in India; her mother, Sou Bhagyam, a brother, Vijay, and sisters; Kiran, Aruna, and Shailajah and extended family. She is also survived by family living in the U.S.; her husband Jon, her five children, and six grandchildren; Lydia, Alivia, Lillian, Bentley, Ezra, and Michael.

She leaves an enduring legacy of fierce love for family, selfless service to others, and a deep devotion to her Lord, Jesus Christ. She will be remembered and cherished.

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