TAMA – Mildred Marie Backen, age 93, of Tama died Tuesday, April 3, 2007 at Sunny Hill Care Center in Tama due to a short illness. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, April 6, 2007 at 11:00 AM at St. John Lutheran Church in rural Tama with Pastor Herb Knudten officiating. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in rural Tama. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 5 from 5 to 7 PM at the Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.
Mildred was born on January 12, 1914 in rural Tama, the daughter of John F. and Caroline (Lohman) Hagge. She was a graduate of Tama High School. She was united in marriage to Walter Backen on January 12, 1938 in Tama. Mildred was a homemaker and later worked for Tama Livestock for over twenty years after her husband passed away. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church and the ladies circle at the church. Mildred enjoyed gardening and flowers. She also loved knitting and crocheting in her later years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Walter in 1972, five children in infancy, one brother Leonard Hagge in childhood, and two sisters Vera Backen and Mabel Hanus.
Survivors include one daughter Jean (Ronald "Butch") Steuhm of Tama; one son Richard "Butch" (Faith) Backen of Tama; eight grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial fund has been established.