Share Robert "Bob" Herman Backen's obituary with others.
Invite friends and family to read the obituary and add memories.
Stay updated
We'll notify you when service details or new memories are added.
You're now following this obituary
We'll email you when there are updates.
Select your format and elements to print
IN LOVING MEMORY OF Robert "Bob" Herman Backen
Robert "Bob"
Herman Backen
August 7, 1937 – May 12, 2017
Robert "Bob" Herman Backen's Obituary
Robert "Bob" Herman Backen, 79, of Tama, passed away Friday, May 12, 2017 at home due to a sudden illness. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 10:30 AM at St. John Lutheran Church in rural Tama with Pastor Catherine Burroughs officiating. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in rural Tama. Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 16, 2017 from 4-7 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.
Robert was born on August 7, 1937, in rural Tama, Iowa on the family farm, the son of Julius and Vera (Hagge) Backen.
He attended Tama High School.
Robert served his country in the U.S. Army from February 7, 1956 to February 2, 1958.
On May 24, 1959, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Allen in Gilman, Iowa. Bob was a career farmer, dairy farmer and beekeeper. He also worked at the sale barn, for various farmers and Wilkerson Hardware Store in Toledo. Bob was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in rural Tama, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Maple Grove Cemetery Association, Farm Bureau, and Swiss Valley. He enjoyed gardening and there was not anything he wouldn't try. Bob loved to tinker on anything. His greatest joy was the time he spent with his family.
Survivors include his wife of fifty-seven years, Dorothy of Tama; one son, James Backen of Tama; five daughters, Janice (Tom) Upah of Chelsea, Julie (Tom) Wilkerson of Toledo, Joyce (Thom) Wilson of Tama, Jolene Keller of Toledo, and Jeri (Bryan) Ellenbecker of Tama; twelve grandchildren, Matthew and Kristen Upah, Brent and Eric Wilkerson, Jennifer and Bethany Wilson, Carter McDermott, Brooke and Blake Keller, Brady (Callie) Ellenbecker, Taylor and Bryce Ellenbecker; one great-granddaughter, Jaylynn Wilson; one sister, Hazel Moyer of Toledo; one sister-in-law, Mildred Backen of Tama; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Preceding him in death were his parents; one son, Jay Backen; one son-in-law, Todd Keller; two brothers, Lyle and Leo Backen; one sister, Helen Wiener; one sister-in-law, Beverly Graff; and one brother-in-law, Cap Moyer.
A memorial fund has been established.
Robert was born on August 7, 1937, in rural Tama, Iowa on the family farm, the son of Julius and Vera (Hagge) Backen.
He attended Tama High School.
Robert served his country in the U.S. Army from February 7, 1956 to February 2, 1958.
On May 24, 1959, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Allen in Gilman, Iowa. Bob was a career farmer, dairy farmer and beekeeper. He also worked at the sale barn, for various farmers and Wilkerson Hardware Store in Toledo. Bob was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in rural Tama, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Maple Grove Cemetery Association, Farm Bureau, and Swiss Valley. He enjoyed gardening and there was not anything he wouldn't try. Bob loved to tinker on anything. His greatest joy was the time he spent with his family.
Survivors include his wife of fifty-seven years, Dorothy of Tama; one son, James Backen of Tama; five daughters, Janice (Tom) Upah of Chelsea, Julie (Tom) Wilkerson of Toledo, Joyce (Thom) Wilson of Tama, Jolene Keller of Toledo, and Jeri (Bryan) Ellenbecker of Tama; twelve grandchildren, Matthew and Kristen Upah, Brent and Eric Wilkerson, Jennifer and Bethany Wilson, Carter McDermott, Brooke and Blake Keller, Brady (Callie) Ellenbecker, Taylor and Bryce Ellenbecker; one great-granddaughter, Jaylynn Wilson; one sister, Hazel Moyer of Toledo; one sister-in-law, Mildred Backen of Tama; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Preceding him in death were his parents; one son, Jay Backen; one son-in-law, Todd Keller; two brothers, Lyle and Leo Backen; one sister, Helen Wiener; one sister-in-law, Beverly Graff; and one brother-in-law, Cap Moyer.
A memorial fund has been established.
To order memorial trees in memory of Robert "Bob" Herman Backen, please visit our tree store.
Funeral Services for Robert "Bob" Herman Backen
Funeral Service
May
17
St. John's Lutheran Church
Starts at 10:30 am
Robert "Bob" Herman Backen's Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors