Betty Jane Backen

Betty Jane Backen

Betty Jane Backen, 86, of Tama, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2015, at Premier Estates of Toledo under the care of Iowa River Hospice. Funeral Services will be held Monday, June 29, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in rural Tama with Rev. Dr. T. Edwards Breed officiating. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in rural Tama. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 28, 2015, from 2-5 p.m. at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.

Betty was born on October 21, 1928 in Rhodes, Iowa, the daughter of Donald and Carrie (Gregg) Noble.

She graduated from Tama High School.

On May 18, 1946, she was united in marriage to Russell Backen at St. John’s Lutheran Church in rural Tama. The couple made their home on Russell’s family farm south of Tama, for fifty-three years. Betty helped on the farm. They retired in August 1999 and the couple moved to Toledo. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church where she was an organist, Sunday School teacher and a member of the Ladies Aid for many years. Betty also was a member of Farm Bureau Women’s Chorus. She enjoyed crocheting, music and playing cards.

Survivors include five children, Barbara (Jack) Dahlby of Waverly, Shirley (Dave) Downs of Toledo, Roger Backen of Hillman, Minn., Dianne (Ron) Burns of Marshalltown and Sandy (Greg) Barton of Des Moines; 14 grandchildren, Jeff (Deb) Dahlby, Sarah (Ryan) Dahlby Albright, Erin Dahlby, Tim Dahlby, Brian (Sarah) Downs, Mindy (Dru) Weidner, Cristi (Joshua) Downs Sales, Ben Backen, John Backen, Brett (Marci) Burns, Lana (Jason) Long, Anneliese Barton, Sophia Barton and Rachel Barton; 16 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Margaret Jorris of Newton and Joan (Bill) Sterr of Vancouver, Wash.; many nieces and nephews; and one brother-in-law, Dave Peschau of La Crosse, Wisc.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Russell in 2003; one brother, Charles Noble; and one sister, Helen Peschau.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church or Iowa River Hospice.