Harriet J. Backstrom, 87, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Friday, January 3, 2014, at the Broen Memorial Home.
Harriet Janet was born on September 24, 1926, in Maplewood Township of Otter Tail County, Minnesota, the daughter of Harold and Julia (Moen) Nodsle. She attended school District #161 and graduated from Pelican Rapids High School in 1944. After high school, she worked in Fergus Falls as a secretary at the A.A.A. office.
On September 24, 1947, she married Arland P. Backstrom at the Bagstevold Lutheran Church of Erhard. The couple resided in Maplewood Township where they farmed and then moved to Pelican Rapids in 1952. In 1959 they began farming east of Erhard. Harriet worked at the Carr and Hanson Department Store in the office and also at West Central Turkeys. The couple had five children, Allan, Lee, Kathy, Ronnie and Larry.
She was a member of Central Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school and also participated in WELCA and the ladies circles. Harriet was a member of the VFW Auxiliary Post #5252 of Pelican Rapids.
Her hobbies included quilting and entertaining family and friends.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Harold and Julia; her husband, Arland; one son, Ronnie in 1958; three brothers, Orville, LeRoy and Duane.
She is survived by her four children, Allan (Gerry), Lee (Patty) and Kathy (James) Nelson, all of Erhard, Larry (Eileen) of Great Bend, Kansas; nine grandchildren, Dean (Dawn) Backstrom, Robbin (Jason) Weiers, Paul (Becky) Nelson, Eric (Kari) Nelson, Shari (Mitch) VerDorn, Anna Backstrom, David Backstrom, Julie (JR) Mauch and Jeannie (Pete) Westby; 12 great grandchildren, Shannon, Casey, Dacia, Haley, Faith, Logan, Justin, Lucas, Rachel, Ryan, Carson, Brooklyn; one sister, Dorothy (Lennart) Backstrom of Erhard; three sister-in-laws, Carol Nodsle of Dent and Marilyn Nodsle of Detroit Lakes, Donna Salmonson of Fergus Falls, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Monday, January 6, 2014, with a 6:30 p.m. public prayer service at the Funeral Home and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church
Service : 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 7, 2014, at Central Lutheran Church, rural Pelican Rapids
Clergy: Pastor Allen Westby
Interment: Central Lutheran Cemetery, rural Pelican Rapids
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls