Frieda M. “Tootie” Backhaus, 79, of St. Michaels, passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2008, at Kathy Hospice in the town of Polk.
She was born on December 30, 1928, in West Bend, the daughter of the late Herbert and Frieda (Hausfeldt) Cash, and on January 15, 1947, she was united in marriage to Harold Backhaus at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in St. Michaels.
Tootie was an active member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in St. Michaels where she served on the Human Concerns Committee, was president of St. Vincent De Paul and a member of the Christian Women.
Tootie will lovingly be remembered as a devoted wife and mother who always put her family first. She enjoyed helping those in need. Tootie made many quilts for children in Haiti and sewed hundreds of lap robes for residents at Samaritan Health Center and Cedar Lake Health Care Center. Tootie and Harold ran the St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry from their home for many years.
Tootie enjoyed gardening and tending her flowers, especially gladiolas, and when her family was young, she picked and sold strawberries by the case. She will be deeply missed by her husband, her family and by all who knew her.
Survivors include her loving husband of 61 years, Harold
Eight children, James (Jean) Backhaus of Mt. Calvary, Gary (Fran) Backhaus, Ronald (Rita) Backhaus and Geralyn Kaehny all of West Bend, John Backhaus of Menomonie, Darlene Backhaus of Oklahoma, Linda (Lloyd) Bunkelman of Campbellsport and Scott (Tina) Backhaus of Muskego
Her twin sister, Lucy Wiedmeyer of West Bend, 13 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, eight step-sisters and brothers, other relatives and many friends.
In addition to her parents, Tootie was preceded in death by a son, David in 1968 and a brother-in-law, Richard Wiedmeyer.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Tootie was held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2008, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church 8877 Forestview Road (Tn of Kewaskum) in St. Michaels. Father Edwin Kornath officiated and burial followed in the parish cemetery.
Relatives and friends called at the church on Friday from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Vincent De Paul or Kathy Hospice were appreciated.
A special thank you from Tootie’s family to the staff at Kathy Hospice, the third floor staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital and to Dr. Nicole Klausmeier for all the compassionate care provided to Tootie.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frieda M. Backhaus, please visit our flower store.
She was born on December 30, 1928, in West Bend, the daughter of the late Herbert and Frieda (Hausfeldt) Cash, and on January 15, 1947, she was united in marriage to Harold Backhaus at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in St. Michaels.
Tootie was an active member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in St. Michaels where she served on the Human Concerns Committee, was president of St. Vincent De Paul and a member of the Christian Women.
Tootie will lovingly be remembered as a devoted wife and mother who always put her family first. She enjoyed helping those in need. Tootie made many quilts for children in Haiti and sewed hundreds of lap robes for residents at Samaritan Health Center and Cedar Lake Health Care Center. Tootie and Harold ran the St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry from their home for many years.
Tootie enjoyed gardening and tending her flowers, especially gladiolas, and when her family was young, she picked and sold strawberries by the case. She will be deeply missed by her husband, her family and by all who knew her.
Survivors include her loving husband of 61 years, Harold
Eight children, James (Jean) Backhaus of Mt. Calvary, Gary (Fran) Backhaus, Ronald (Rita) Backhaus and Geralyn Kaehny all of West Bend, John Backhaus of Menomonie, Darlene Backhaus of Oklahoma, Linda (Lloyd) Bunkelman of Campbellsport and Scott (Tina) Backhaus of Muskego
Her twin sister, Lucy Wiedmeyer of West Bend, 13 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, eight step-sisters and brothers, other relatives and many friends.
In addition to her parents, Tootie was preceded in death by a son, David in 1968 and a brother-in-law, Richard Wiedmeyer.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Tootie was held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2008, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church 8877 Forestview Road (Tn of Kewaskum) in St. Michaels. Father Edwin Kornath officiated and burial followed in the parish cemetery.
Relatives and friends called at the church on Friday from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Vincent De Paul or Kathy Hospice were appreciated.
A special thank you from Tootie’s family to the staff at Kathy Hospice, the third floor staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital and to Dr. Nicole Klausmeier for all the compassionate care provided to Tootie.