Obituary: Gerda Backman

Gerda Backman

Gerda (Gedrose) Backman, age 95, of New Rockford, N.D., died Thursday, May 26, 2022, at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd, New Rockford, N.D.

Gerda's visitation was Tuesday, May 31 from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., at Evans Funeral Home, New Rockford.

A funeral service was held Wednesday, June 1, at 2:00 p.m., at First Lutheran Church, New Rockford, with Pastor Mindy Meier officiating. Joann Leichtman was organist and Paula Loewen was soloist. Congregational hymns were "Old Rugged Cross" and "On Eagle's Wings." Solos were "One Day At A Time," "Church In The Wildwood," "A Carpenter, " and "A Mother and A King." Her burial was at the Nystrom Cemetery, rural New Rockford, N.D.

Pallbearers were Neil Backman, Larry Danduran, Jerry Rimmereid, Amanda Croegaert, Luke Croegaert and Robert Collier.

Honorary bearers were all of Gerda's family and close friends.

Gerda was born September 1, 1926, in rural Cathay, N.D., the daughter of John and Thekla Gunhilda (Bryne) Gedrose. She was baptized and confirmed at Stavanger Lutheran Church in Wells County. She attended school in Fairville Township, Wells County, until November of 1941.

She then moved with her family near Brantford and attended Columbia Consolidated School, and in 1945 she graduated from New Rockford High School. She later attended Dakota Business College in Fargo for one year.

Gerda worked in Fargo and Devils Lake until she married Donald Keith Backman on November 13, 1954. She was a devoted wife and mother, and loved living on the farm east of New Rockford.

She was an active member of the First Congregational Church. She taught Sunday school and Bible school, helped her children with many 4-H projects, enjoyed the Tiffany Ladies Aid and Homemaker Clubs, and volunteered at the Senior Center. Donald passed away on March 15, 1988.

Gerda was able to take a trip of a lifetime to Norway in 1992. Gerda was always kind and enjoyed helping people. She loved making special meals for her family – buns, lefse, potato sausage, krumkake, and birthday cakes. She will be deeply missed.

Gerda is survived by her son, Robert Backman of New Rockford; daughter, Lorraine (Chuck) LeBlanc of Grand Forks; her grandchildren, Amanda (Lucas) Croegaert of Bismarck, Neil Backman of New Rockford, Stephanie LeBlanc of Grand Forks, and Matthew LeBlanc of Grand Forks; two great-grandsons, Trace and Toby Croegaert; a sister, Vivian Rimmereid, and her sister-in-law, Barbara Gedrose.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; her daughter, Gail Klumph; a son-in-law, Alfred Klumph; her parents; sisters, Olga (Clarence) Sielig, Tillie (Glenn) Collier, Julia (LeRoy) Gross and Erna Gedrose; and brothers, Emil (Bernadine) Gedrose and John Gedrose, and brother-in-law Daniel Rimmereid.

On-line condolences may be sent at www.EvansFuneralHomeND.com