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Ellen Backus Obituary
Backus, Ellen
COTTAGE GROVE - Ellen Backus, age 82, passed away Jan. 8, 2022, at Kindred Hearts, Cottage Grove, Wis.
She lived a wonderfully adventurous and useful life, helping others and enjoying the world fully. She was anxious to see, learn, and share her love of life with others.
She suffered from dementia for over 12 years and was no longer able to recognize family members and friends, though we remain forever loving.
She is survived by her younger brother, Franz Backus; daughter, Margot Backus; son, Mike Bakkens; along with numerous loving relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Eleanor and August Backus; a brother; and three sisters.
She will be remembered in a memorial service in Madison this spring. Cremation and family and friends services will be provided by Informed Choice.
Please share your memories at www.informedchoicefunerals.com.
Informed Choice Funeral
& Cremation Alternatives
3325 E. Washington Ave., Madison
(608) 249-6758
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ellen Backus
Sponsored by Informed Choice Funeral & Cremation Alternatives - Madison.
Laura Gates
April 6, 2023
I worked with Ellen at Options, she was a fabulous advocate and a great teacher. She cared so deeply for the people we supported. The world is better for her presence. I hope I have half her patience and humor.
Sarah Backus
January 25, 2022
Ellen was the best aunt in the universe, flying into Milwaukee for holidays, and bringing the most unusual, scientific gifts, getting us all out for a movie, playing her guitar and gifting us new and familiar songs with that beautiful voice, giving us her latest science fiction find, listening to us!
She is Star dust now, with us always! We will say your name always!
Franz Backus
January 17, 2022
Franz Backus
January 17, 2022
Franz Backus
January 17, 2022
Franz Backus
January 17, 2022
Photos taken during a visit to Cottage Grove
Margot Gayle Backus
January 16, 2022
Margot Gayle Backus
January 16, 2022
Margot Gayle Backus
January 16, 2022
Ellen was a brilliant, kind, and courageous person, and she was my birth mother. I am deeply grateful for all that she gave me -- the DNA out of which she wove half of my biology, the large and welcoming family she proudly introduced me to, and the stories and love and delight that she gifted me with. Finding Ellen brought me so much joy -- a sense of belonging in the world. I will always miss her, and she will always be very much with me.
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Informed Choice Funeral & Cremation Alternatives - Madison3325 E. Washington Avenue, Madison, WI 53704
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