Memorial Service for Gladys Eileen Backman, 87, of Sisseton, SD will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 1:00 P.M. at the Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD with Pastor Scott Davis officiating. Urn Bearer will be Gladys' husband of 70 years, Leon Backman.   Honorary Urn Bears will be all of Gladys' grandsons Chuckie Backman, TJ Backman, Josh Redday, Skyman Redday, Jac Cozad, Trevor Anthony, Tyrelle Anthony, Cody Backman, and Hunter Backman. Special Music by the Family. Inurnment will be in the Sisseton Cemetery, Sisseton, South Dakota. There will be visitation on Friday, June 3, 2022 from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. and one hour prior to services at Cahill Funeral Chapel.   The Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, South Dakota is in charge of arrangements.

Gladys Eileen Cleveland was born on June 11 ^th , 1934 to Lowell and Eunice (Gilberts) Cleveland, at home, north of Ortley, SD. She was the first daughter after five sons. As a young woman, she babysat for many families. She met Leon Backman at a Barn Dance at Whipple's Barn. They were married October 14, 1951 and grew the family by having 3 children in 2 ½ years. What a busy mom! They were later blessed with 4 more children.

During this time, she washed and ironed clothes for people. She also enjoyed selling Tupperware. Gladys did daycare up until 1991. She loved to sew and made the kids' clothes. When the kids were young, they would go to Ike's Chicken Shack because it was cheap to feed so many kids. Gladys would spend some Saturday afternoons popping popcorn and the whole family would pile into the car and go to the outdoor theater.

Leon and Gladys always had a large garden and Gladys canned the produce to feed her family. She made home-made bread, jams and jellies too. She also loved her flower gardens, especially the peonies and poppies. Leon and Gladys were big fans of the Minnesota Twins and were able to attend a game in the cities. They also enjoyed many summers at the trailer house on Roy Lake fishing and swimming at the State Park. Sewing quilts was one of Gladys' passions. She made one quilt for each kid, grandchild and even a few great-grandchildren. Gladys loved seeing her children's families grow and each baby was such a blessing. Leon and Gladys enjoyed having company and the kids always had fun at 'Backman's Park.' Gladys had a deep faith in God and was a member of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church. She was also deeply involved in a Christian Women's group. Leon and Gladys went to live in the Wilmot Care Center Assisted Living in February and have a cute apartment. Gladys (Cleveland) Backman passed away in the early morning hours of Memorial Day, May 30 ^th , 2022.

Gladys is survived by her husband of 70 years, Leon and children; Kathy Redday of Sisseton,SD, Leon Backman Jr. of Beardsley, MN, Carolyn (Jim) Senske of Watertown, SD, Tim (Renee) Backman of Lake Preston, SD, Kim (John) Cozad of Wentworth, SD, and Carrie Backman of Wilmot, SD; 31 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and a few great-great-grandchildren; siblings Mavis Krueger of Castlewood, Gary Cleveland of Custer, Keith Cleveland of Bismarck, ND, and Marian (Vaughn) Neshiem of Watertown.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Lowell and Eunice Cleveland; son, Bryan; grandchildren, Allison, Lee, Leah; great-grandchildren Skyman Jr., Skylynn, LeAndra, Lee, and Isiah; daughter-in-law, Julie; brothers, Virgil, Bud, Laverne, and Leslie.