Barbara J. Backen, 74, of Tama, passed away Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Premier Estates of Toledo under the care of Iowa River Hospice. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, May 11, 2017 at 10:30 AM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama with Rev. Dewey Grimes officiating. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in rural Tama. Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 10, 2017 from 4 - 7 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.

Barbara was born on July 27, 1942, in Marshalltown, Iowa the daughter of Fred and Leona (Bidwell) Breja.


On September 26, 1959 she was united in marriage to Kenneth Backen at Lancaster, MO. Barbara had worked as a waitress at Wakonda Country Club and Vic's Tally Ho both in Des Moines and Rube's Steakhouse in Montour. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, and making cakes. Barbara especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.


Survivors include her husband Kenneth Backen of Tama; three sons, Steven (Chris) Backen of Hiawatha, Donald Backen of Chattanooga, TN, and Daniel (Debra) Backen of Tama; six grandchildren, Kent (Kim) Backen, Brent (Jessica) Backen, Stephanie Wheeler, Zachary Backen, Nicholas Backen, and Lindsay Backen; seven great-grandchildren; her mother, Leona Moore of Toledo; and brother Robert (Patti) Youngman of Tama.

Preceding her in death was her father, Fred Breja; and step-father, Donald Moore.

A memorial fund has been established.