Sandra "Sandy" Backer

Sandra "Sandy" Kay (Schendel) Backer, 86, of Charles City, IA passed away Sunday, April 6, 2025, at the Nora Springs Care Center.
A funeral service for Sandy Backer will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the First Congregational Church in Charles City with Erik Hoefer officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City.
Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home in Charles City and will continue one hour before the service at the church on Thursday.
Sandra was born April 15, 1938, in Breckenridge, Minnesota. She attended Campbell High School, graduating in 1956. She then attended Moorehead State Teachers College and became an elementary education teacher.
She was united in marriage to Michael Backer on September 5, 1959. They both taught school in Towner, North Dakota, and moved to Charles City, IA in 1968. Michael was welcomed to heaven in 2001. Sandra was a substitute teacher in Charles City, later becoming a classroom aide in the special education classroom in Floyd.
Sandy cherished time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Sandra and her family attended many Big 10 basketball tournaments, and were frequently found enjoying time together at the family lake home on Ottertail Lake, Minnesota. One of the most treasured memories was celebrating 75 years at the lake with her family and special long time friends in August of 2024.
She was an active member of the First Congregational Church, PEO Chapter JQ, multiple bridge clubs, and Elks Lodge 418. Sandra supported Charles City Fine Arts and athletics, and was the scorebook keeper of the Comet baseball team for several years. Sandra also enjoyed volunteering at the Floyd County Medical Center gift shop, as well as crocheting blankets, hats, and shawls for various organizations.
Living family members include- children: Dana (Jeff) Williams, Jana (Kevin) Kraus, son-in-law, Brad LaBarge; grandchildren: Megan (Logan) O'Brien, Shannon (Ryan) Venz, Kelli (Kyle) Marcum, Mason (Savanna) Williams, Bailey (Alex) Jacobson, and Brayden Kraus; great-grandchildren: Devony and Drake O'Brien, Kennedy and Connor Marcum, Kerrigan and Harlow Venz.
She is welcomed in heaven by: her husband, Michael Backer; daughter, Kayla LaBarge; sister, Lynne Schendel; and her parents, Alden and Mervyl (Mellon) Schendel.
The family would like to extend sincere appreciation to the Nora Springs Care Center, MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center, MercyOne North Iowa Hospice, Jodi Heyer PA-C, and special friends Mark Huegel and the Dohman family.