Reed H. Backstrom
December 12, 2017
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Service Details
Reed H. Backstrom, 81, passed away December 12, 2017 at Mercy Medical Center.
Reed was born June 18, 1936 in Des Moines to William and Lucille Backstrom. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1954. Reed was a member of the Iowa Air National Guard for 11 years. He retired from the Des Moines Fire Department in 1994 after 28 years of service. After retirement, Reed worked part-time at Jefferson School.
Reed was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, Clowns of America and Korn Patch Clowns. He was a former commissioner on the Polk County Condemnation Compensation Commission Board. Reed served on the City Parks & Pools subcommittee and was a former president of the Jordan Creek Neighborhood Association. He was very proud of being instrumental in getting the dog park in Ewing Park and renovating Jordan Park.
Reed is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Donna; children, Margie (Kirby) VanWey, David (Shelli) Backstrom, Teresa (Chris) Hoisington and Cindy Anderson; eight grandchildren, Aaron, Kristen, Nick, Elise, Nicole, Katie, Vanessa and Crystal; four great-grandchildren, Sophia, Harper, Sami and Levi; and a host of extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, William Backstrom and Lillian Hull; grandson, Ben; and son-in-law, Donald Anderson.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, December 15, 2017 at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street. Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, December 16th at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in loving memory of Reed.
Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Marie Jones
12/16/2017
May I offer my deepest condolences to family of Reed H. Backstrom. At this time of grief and sorrow may the scriptures bring you comfort and hope. Acts 24:15 speaks of a resurrection. Jesus also spoke of a resurrection. John 5:28-29. He gave one example when he resurrected Lazarus who had been dead for four days. Thus he demonstrated what he will do in the future for our dead loved ones when he rules for a Thousand Years under the Kingdom. Dan 2:44. At that time their will be tears of joy instead of grief as we welcome back our dead loved ones.
Mary (Gale) Hohl
12/15/2017
Donna and Family,
I am saddened to learn of Reed's passing. For years, each time we would pass a fire station Aaron (now 42) would want to go see "Fireman Reed".
May your memories bring you comfort now and in the days and months ahead.
Mary (Gale) Hohl
YMCA- Deluxe
Trixy
12/14/2017
I failed to say, in the note I just sent, that I send my sincere condolences to Donna and the whole family. I will keep you all in my prayers!
Vicky Garrett/ Trixy the Clown
12/14/2017
I think the Heavens were trying to reach some of us clowns regarding Reed (Bo Bo the Clown), as his name was brought up, just out of the blue, at our last meeting, Nov. 28th, and we were wondering where he was living and how he was, since he was ill the last we knew. One of the clowns was asked to check and see if we could find out. Reed indeed was such a nice man, always smiling, and glad to see you! I know he and Donna (as Bo Bo and Be Be), for a long time,went to the same school's fun night and made balloon animals for the kids--that's just one of the many things they did to entertain kids and make them smile for many years! They were also the official greeters for all of us KPK clowns, and visiting clowns, as we signed in to help with Clowns at the Carousel at Union Park every first Sunday in August until they retired from clowning. All of us who knew them have really missed their presence!
Silly Sally
12/13/2017
So sorry to hear about Reed. He was a clown friend of mine in the Korn Patch Klown group. He was such a sweet man and shared his clowning skills with many kids and adults over the years. Praying for Donna and everyone who knew Reed. Heaven just received a chuckle and new clown angel!