Obit: Backus, Edith Ann #2 (1931 - 2006)
Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Backus, Zallar, Severson, Murphy, Lukes, Severson, Vollrath, Bruno, Pehlke

----Sources: Clark County Press (Neillsville, WI.) December 20, 2006

Backus, Edith Ann (August 14, 1931 - December 14, 2006)

Edith A. Backus, age 75, of Willard, died on Thursday, December 14, 2006 at her home.

Edith Ann Severson was born August 14, 1931 in Willard, to Elmer and Eva (Zallar) Severson. She was raised on the family farm in Willard, and received her education in the Willard area, and attended Greenwood High School. Edith was united in marriage to Walter Backus on June 21, 1947 in Neillsville, Wis. The couple lived and raised their family in Willard. Edith was a lifelong resident of Willard, and resided there at the time of her death.

She was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church, where she was very active in the C.C.W., and taught C.C.D. Edith was also a member of the Greenwood American Legion Auxiliary, where she served as president for many years, and was also a 4-H Leader in Willard. She was a volunteer at The Highground in Neillsville and was a caregiver for many elderly persons in the Willard and Greenwood areas.

Edith had many interests, but especially loved spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and crocheting.

She will be sadly missed by her husband, Walter, of Willard; her children, William, of Greenwood; Les (special friend Lisa Murphy), of Stewartville, MN; Jim (Jodi), of Greenwood; Bailey, of Spencer; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one son-in-law, Jeff Lukes, of Loyal; two brothers, John Severson, of Plymouth, MN; Carl (Joyce) Severson, of Westminster, Co; and three sisters, Eloda Vollrath, of Willard; Yvonne Bruno, of Milwaukee; and Virjean Pehlke, of Willard.

She was preceded in death by one daughter, JoAnne Lukes; one grandson, and one great-grandson, both in infancy.

A memorial service was held Wednesday Dec. 20, 2006 at Holy Catholic Church in Willard. Fr. Joseph Follmar officiated. Burial followed in the parish cemetery.

Cuddie Funeral Home, of Greenwood is assisting the family with arrangements.