Benjamin David Backstrom 1990-2010

BACKSTROM, WARREN

Posted By: Curtis (email)
Date: 5/13/2010 at 08:37:31

DEATH NOTICE:

(The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Iowa May 5, 2010)

BACKSTROM, Benjamin "Ben" David, 19, of Norwalk, Iowa, died April 27, 2010. Visitation and services were held the week of May 1 at Wakonda Christian Church in Des Moines under the direction of Dunn's Funeral Home of Des Moines. He was the grandson of Dan and Ruth Warren of Leon, Iowa.

Obituary -

(The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Iowa May 5, 2010)

BEN BACKSTROM ... Benjamin "Ben" Backstrom, 19, of Norwalk and Des Moines was taken from this earth on Tuesday, April 27, 2010. Visitation and services were held the week of May 1 at Wakonda Christian Church in Des Moines. A life long resident of Central Iowa, Ben grew up on the south side of Des Moines attending Jefferson and then Brody Middle School. The family moved to Norwalk where Ben Graduated from Norwalk High School. Ben was a 5x Mock Trial member, Debater, Band Participant, and Tennis Team Member. He was the recipient of the local Norwalk Entrepreneur Scholarship and the National NFIB Young Entrepreneur Award. He was employed as a lifeguard at the YMCA and at Target. This summer he was to begin an internship here in Des Moines.

At Drake he was a sophomore at the College of Business with a focus on Entrepreneurial Studies. From a young age Ben had run many small companies and his dream was to become a social-entrepreneur, building a company that could change the world.

Ben enjoyed sharing time with his good friends at Drake and Norwalk, being with his family, and leading his X-Box team as Striker 218. He worked over 1,000 hours of community service by the age of 18 and was currently assisting at the Ronald McDonald House. He worked to connect with as many people as he could, building friendships and finding mentors along the way.

Those who will hold him in our hearts forever are his parents, Shelli & Dave Backstrom; his sister, Elise; grandparents, Donnal and Reed Backstrom of Des Moines and Dan and Ruth Warren of Leon; many uncles, aunts, cousins, and hundreds of friends.

We share Ben's appreciation of his friends, family, and church family and would like to thank you all for your love, support, and guidance. He was an honorable young man who committed his life to making a difference in our world for everyone he touched. He always maintained a deep faith that he could fix the problems in the world. god packed Ben with Spirit and Ambition. We thank God for giving Ben to all of us.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial contribution be sent or brought to Wakonda Christian Church, 3938 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321 for the benefit of homeless youth in Iowa.