1918
John
2006
John Backer
January 4, 1918 — June 17, 2006
John Backer, 88, St. Catherine's Living Center, Wahpeton, ND, formerly of Doran, MN, died Saturday, June 17, 2006 at St. Catherine's Living Center, Wahpeton, ND.
Her funeral will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2006 at 10:30 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Breckenridge, MN with Fr. Kenneth Popp officiating. Visitation will be on Friday, June 23, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM at Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge, MN. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the funeral at the funeral home. Interment will be
at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Breckenridge, MN.
John is survived by: A sister: Virginia Wilson, San Diego, CA; Several nieces and nephews
Preceded by: His parents: Peter and Philomena Backer; His wife: Olga Backer; 2 brothers: Jacob and George; 3 sisters: Margaret Patrick, Ann Bertram and Katherine Hopes
John Rudolph Backer was born January 4, 1918 in Hankinson, ND, the son of Peter and Philomena (Zentner) Backer. He moved with his family to Campbell, MN and then Doran, MN where he attended school. After his schooling, John worked at the J. J. Brady Grain Elevator in Doran. In 1936 he began working for the Great Northern Railroad. He retired from the railroad in 1979. On September 10, 1941, John went into the U. S. Army and served with the 46th Engineer Battalion in the Philippines, Australia, and New Guinea in WWII. John received the Presidential Unit Citation, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Two Bronze Stars. He was discharged from the Army on June 8, 1945, with the rank of Tech. Sergeant 4th Class.
John was married July 22, 1978 to Olga Lunsted at Webster, SD. The couple lived in Doran. Olga preceded him in death in 1991.
John was a member of St. Mary's Church, Breckenridge, MN; the VFW, Eagles Aerie 2749, Brotherhood of Maintenance & Ways, Railroad Retirees, and the Last Man's Club of WWII.
Her funeral will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2006 at 10:30 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Breckenridge, MN with Fr. Kenneth Popp officiating. Visitation will be on Friday, June 23, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM at Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge, MN. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the funeral at the funeral home. Interment will be
at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Breckenridge, MN.
John is survived by: A sister: Virginia Wilson, San Diego, CA; Several nieces and nephews
Preceded by: His parents: Peter and Philomena Backer; His wife: Olga Backer; 2 brothers: Jacob and George; 3 sisters: Margaret Patrick, Ann Bertram and Katherine Hopes
John Rudolph Backer was born January 4, 1918 in Hankinson, ND, the son of Peter and Philomena (Zentner) Backer. He moved with his family to Campbell, MN and then Doran, MN where he attended school. After his schooling, John worked at the J. J. Brady Grain Elevator in Doran. In 1936 he began working for the Great Northern Railroad. He retired from the railroad in 1979. On September 10, 1941, John went into the U. S. Army and served with the 46th Engineer Battalion in the Philippines, Australia, and New Guinea in WWII. John received the Presidential Unit Citation, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Two Bronze Stars. He was discharged from the Army on June 8, 1945, with the rank of Tech. Sergeant 4th Class.
John was married July 22, 1978 to Olga Lunsted at Webster, SD. The couple lived in Doran. Olga preceded him in death in 1991.
John was a member of St. Mary's Church, Breckenridge, MN; the VFW, Eagles Aerie 2749, Brotherhood of Maintenance & Ways, Railroad Retirees, and the Last Man's Club of WWII.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Backer, please visit our flower store.