Shirley J. Backus

Shirley J. Backus, 79, of Cloquet, died Wednesday, May 19, 2004 at her home. She was born Oct. 3, 1924 in Austin, Minn., to John and Carrie (Witmer) Spieker. Her early years were spent in the Montevidio area and then Brainerd during high school. She attended Macalester College from 1944 to 1948 where she met Byron Backus whom she married in 1951. She loved to read and do needle work and was devoted to her children, grandchild and husband. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Byron; two daughters, Colleen (Jeff Dodmead) Backus of Mpls. and Ginger Backus (Cory Clay) of Duluth; one son, Byron Jr. (Lesa Grebner Backus) of Bloomington; one granddaughter, Amber; and one brother, Luverne (Jeanne) Spieker of Dallas, Texas. VISITATION:1 p.m. Saturday, June 5, 2004 until the 2 p.m. memorial service at the Cloquet Presbyterian Church with Rev. Donald Bump officiating. Memorials are preferred to Gillette Children's Hospital, 200 E. University Ave., St. Paul, MN 55101; Courage Duluth, 424 West Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802; or the Cloquet Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are with Nelson Funeral Care of Cloquet. (see online guestbook at www.legacy.com)