Dan Backer
December 09, 2009
Dan was born on December 9, 1939, in Battle Creek, Michigan. He passed away suddenly on December 9, 2009.
Dan retired from Electrical Engineering and Equipment Company almost 10 years ago. He was a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Tae-Kwon-Do and still taught at Farrells. Dan enjoyed training his dog, Jessie to be a service dog. He enjoyed working out, his cars and his grandson, and spending time with the staff and children at ChildServe.
He will be missed by his daughter, Brenda (Marty) Horton; his grandson, Nathan Thesing; his brother, David (Rita) Backer; his sister, Shirley (David) McKinney; his sister, Barb (Bud) Zeeks; mother-in-law, Thelma Thamke; and numerous family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Evelyn; his parents, Frank and Carol Backer; nephews, Billy and Danny Cain; and father-in-law, Leroy Thamke.
Memorial services will be held 10:00 am, Monday, December 14, 2009, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines.
In lieu of plants and flowers, please make a donation to ChildServe.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Alice Kerr
12/13/2009
My sympathy to the family and good friends of Dan. I was only an acquaintence, through agility classe at Canine Craze, but had actually come to know of Dan and Jessie at Rover's Ranch, where I used to take my dog, Breanne, to play. He was always very helpful and cheerful. He was a devoted pet handler, but I'm sure all of us will miss his sense of humor and general good nature at dog class.
Sincerely, Alice
Cheryl Weeks
12/13/2009
I work retail and have waited on alot of people and I believe I have waited on this man quite a few times. So you may not know me but I knew of Dan
and will sure miss seeing his bubbly face around HyVee in Altoona, Iowa.
God Bless you all!!
Todd Dorr
12/12/2009
Brenda,
I was Mr. Backer's taekwondo instructor at Farrell's, and am so blessed to have been so close to him over the past 14 years. He was a man who loved martial arts, and more importantly, loved the students at our taekwondo classes. He was always 30 minutes early to class, and the only reason he came that early was so he could help out the other students with their forms. He never came to warmup by himself, or to do his own thing. He always came early to help, and he was the only one to do so. I could always count on your dad, too, to teach class for me whenever I was in a pinch. And that was priceless to me.
I would often reward him with a new uniform, and his response always was, well, I just got this one not that long ago, even though not that long ago was 4-5 years ago! He probably has brand new uniforms hidden away somewhere that he never wore, since he always wore the same two!!
Farrell's will miss Mr. Backer deeply. And I will miss him. Please know that there are many people at Farrell's whose lives have been touched by your dad. His character was a shining light to everyone around him.
Respectfully,
Todd Dorr
Farrell's U.S. Martial Arts 5th Degree Black Belt
Rosenberry Family
12/11/2009
Mr. Backer was beloved and adored by our entire family, but especially by our son who is a TaeKwonDo student. He learned so much from Mr. Backer about TaeKwonDo, but he especially appreciated Mr. Backer's kindness and his joy being with his Farrell's family.
Mr. Backer will be missed by all whose lives he touched. His wonderful and generous spirit will carry on with the tremendous impact he had on so many.
We grieve his passing, but consider ourselves forever fortunate to have known such a wonderful man.
God bless
Terrie
12/10/2009
Brenda and Marty,
Wanted to let you know I am praying for both of you. I am so sorry this has happened. I love you both. Please let me know if I can do anything for the two of you.