Backes, Viola Kathryn (Kurash) -- 1915 - 2001

FISHER, KURASH, BACKES, GOSSLING, WILTGEN, THUENTE, MASSMAN, HERALD

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 7/5/2010 at 16:49:56

Decorah Public Opinion, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001

Viola Kathryn Backes

Viola Backes, 85, of St. Lucas, died Monday, Jan. 1, 2001 at the Senior Hospice in Ossian.

A Mass of Christian Burial service was held Friday, Jan. 5 at 11 a.m. at St. Luke's Catholic Church in St. Lucas, with Rev. Marvin Salz and Msgr. Leander Reicks officiating.

Lectors were Kathy Mauer, Karla Winter and LeRoy Gossling. Mass Servers were Reed Backes and Joshua Gossling and offertory was given by Michelle Lanzel, Sarah Cadell, DeAnne and Janeen Backes, Connie Wiltgen and Julie Elsbernd.

Organist was Lorraine Kuennen, and soloist Don DiLaura sang "Just a Closer Walk With Thee", "Mansion on a Hilltop", and "Softly and Tenderly". The St. Luke's Choir sang "Be Not Afraid", "Peace is Flowing Like a River" and "Jesus, Our Living Bread".

Casket bearers were Chad Backes, Gary Gossling, Loren Wiltgen, Mark Wiltgen, Emily Thuente and Ashlyn Backes.

Honorary casket bearers were Lisa Geisler, Corey Wiltgen, Tyler Thuente, Kevin Wiltgen, Lynee Backes Johnson, Dan Wiltgen, Brian Backes, Rodney Gossling, Debra Line and Keith Gossling.

Interment was at St. Luke's Cemetery, with Chekal Funeral Home of Fort Atkinson handling the arrangements.

Viola Kathryn Backes was born Sept. 19, 1915 to Adolph and Anna (Fisher) Kurash near Fort Atkinson. She attended country school.

On Oct. 6, 1936 she married George Backes at St. John's Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson. They made their home in St. Lucas, where Viola Backes was a member of St. Luke's Rosary Society.

She enjoyed doing things for her family like baking, gardening, canning, sewing and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

She was a cook at St. Luke's School for 25 years.

Viola Backes also enjoyed playing cards and bingo and was active in the St. Lucas Senior Citizens Group.

On Oct. 25, 1991 she moved to the Ossian Senior Hospice.

Surviving Viola Backes are two sons: Donald (Gail) Backes of Decorah and George (Betty) Backes of Calmar; three daughters: Darlene (Norbert) Gossling of Waucoma, Marian (Bill) Wiltgen of Ossian and Joanne (Virgil) Thuente of Decorah; three sisters-in-law: Alice Kurash of Spillville, Lucy Massman of Ossian and Florence Herald of St. Michael, Minn.; 27 grandchildren: Brian, DeAnne, Janeen, Chad, Ashlyn Lynee and Reed Backes; Adam Johnson; Debra and Robert Line; Rodney and Debbie Gossling; Gary and Carla Gossling; LeRoy and Susan Gossling; Keith and Trena Gossling; Lisa and Greg Geisier; Michelle and Ben Lanzel; Joshua Gossling; Tyler Thuente and Emily Thuente; Karla and Gary Winter; Julie and Dean Elsbernd; Connie, Corey, Loren and Daniel Wiltgen; Kathy and Gary Mauer; Kevin Wiltgen; Brenda Wiltgen; Mark and LuAnn Wiltgen; Sarah and Randy Caddell; 31 great grandchildren: Samuel Johnson; Heather, Jason and Nicholas Mauer; Todd, Lisa, Mitchell, Matthew, Isaac, Daron and Michaela Wiltgen; Michael, William and David Line; Alyssa, James, Riley, Josine, John, Spencer, Abigail, Jesse, Chelsea and Corren Gossling; Jason and Travis Geisler; Chelsea and Nathan Winter; Katelyn and Justin Elsbernd and Brandon Wiltgen.

Viola Kathryn Backes was preceded in death by her husband, George Backes, her parents; a daughter, Elaine Wiltgen and two brothers, Stanley and Jerome Kurash.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa.

Added Nov. 30, 2017
Source: New Hampton Tribune; Jan. 12, 2001 Page 4
from Elma library collection assembled by Marian (Marr) McGee
Transcribed by Joy Moore

Viola Backes
ST. LUCAS— Viola Backes, 85, died Monday, Jan. 1, 2001 at the Ossian Senior Hospice, Ossian.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, Jan. 5 at St. Luke's Catholic Church, St. Lucas with Rev. Marvin Salz and Msgr. Leander Reicks as concelebrants. Lectors were Kathy Mauer, Karla Winter and LeRoy Gossling. Music was provided by Lorraine Kuennen as organist accompanying soloist, Don DiLaura, in singing "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" and "Mansion On A Hilltop" and the St. Luke's Choir singing "Be Not Afraid" and "Peace Is Flowing Like A River".
Interment was in St. Luke's Cemetery, St. Lucas with Chad Backes, Gary Gossling, Loren Wiltgen, Mark Wiltgen, Emily Thuente and Ashlyn Backes as casket bearers. Honorary casket bearers were Lisa Geisier, Corey Wiltgen, Tyler Thuente, Kevin Wiltgen, Lynee Backes Johnson, Dan Wiltgen, Brian Backes, Rodney Gossling, Debra Line and Keith Gossling.
Viola Kathryn Backes was born Sept. 19, 1915 near Ft. Atkinson, the daughter of Adolph and Anna (Fisher) Kurash. She attended country school. On Oct. 6,1936 she married George Backes at St. John's Catholic Church, Ft. Atkinson. They made their home in St. Lucas where Viola was a cook at St. Luke's Catholic School for 25 years. Viola enjoyed baking, gardening, canning, sewing, playing cards and bingo and spending time with her family. Sne was a member of the St. Luke's Rosary Society and was active in the St. Lucas Senior Citizens group. She moved to the Ossian Senior Hospice in
1991.
Survivors include two sons, Donald (Gail) Backes, Decorah and George (Betty) Backes, Calmar; three daughters, Darlene (Norbert) Gossling, Waucoma, Marian (Bill) Wiltgen, Ossian and Joanne (Virgil) Thuente, Decorah; three sisters-in-law, Alice Kurash, Spillville, Lucy Massman, Ossian and Florence Herold, St. Michael, MN; 27 grandchildren and 31 greatgrandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her husband, George; her parents; one daughter, Elaine Wiltgen and two brothers, Stanley and Jerome Kurash.