Tom Backe, 84

Thomas J. Backe, age 84, a longtime resident of St. Paul Park, died Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the Regina Care Center in Hastings.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 26, with visitation on Sunday evening from 4-7 p.m. and 1 hour prior to the service, all held at the Kok Funeral Home, 1201 Portland Ave., St. Paul Park.

Tom was born March 7, 1927, in Osakis, Minn., the son of John and Clara (Achter) Backe. He grew up on the east side of St. Paul and went on to serve his country in the U.S. Army Air Force, entering active duty in July of 1945.

Tom was united in marriage in 1951 to Helen M. Unten in Idaho while living near Spokane, Wash. They returned to Minnesota and made their home in St. Paul Park where they raised their three daughters.

In 1953, he started his employment with American Hoist and Derrick Company where he worked for 34 years and a majority of those years served as shipping coordinator.

Tom was very active in the St. Paul Park Community. He was a past president of the local Dog and Kennel Club, animal control officer for many years, and also worked several years at the Park Grove Pet Hospital. Annually he would dress up as Santa Claus and visit families at the Gillette Children's Hospital. He enjoyed his dogs, volunteering his time, and spending time with his family.

Tom's family would like to acknowledge the compassionate care that he received from the staff at the Regina Care Center in Hastings.

He is survived by daughters, Joyce Bolduan and Jean (Pinky) Conrad; eight grandchildren, Tim, Teri, Lori, Lisa, Gary, Tami, Lynn, and Daniel; 11 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; son-in-law Robert Storlien; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; daughter Susanne Storlien; parents, John and Clara; son-in-law Roger; and sister, Anna Marie.

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