Leon Backman, 96, of Sisseton, SD passed away on January 9, 2023, seven months after Gladys, at the Wilmot Care Center in Wilmot, SD. The memorial service will be on Friday, January 13, 2023 at 1:00 P.M. at the Cahill Funeral Chapel in Sisseton, SD. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Leon Backman was born on the 'home place' on October 23, 1926 to Julius and Mary [Jorgensen] Backman near Wilmot, SD.  He was given the name Carl Leon, but always went by Leon. As a youngster, he helped out on the farm where there was always a big garden and field work to do. He met a beautiful young lady, Gladys Cleveland, at a Barn Dance at Whipple's Barn. Leon and Gladys were married on October 14 ^th , 1951, and were blessed with 7 children.  Leon worked at Pavek's Store in Sisseton until Pavek's moved to Rapid City, so he went across the street and got a job at Sisseton Bottle Gas, were he worked for 55 years. He missed many holiday meals because he'd get a call that someone needed gas, and he always went. He also delivered the Minneapolis paper. Every day for more than 25 years, thru rain or snow, dad would make a trip from Sisseton to Ortonville, MN, and back to bring the Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper to readers in the northeast corner of SD. On weekdays he picked up over 560 daily papers and dropped them off in eight communities on his way home. On Sunday his load included more than 1250 papers and made seven additional stops along his regular route. His round-trip routes averaged 190 miles weekday and 250 miles on Sundays. Once in a while, one of us kids would go on his route with him, but usually fell asleep! After he got the papers home, us kids remember helping put the paper together, as it came in separate sections. During his time running with papers, he hit 26 deer and was a very good costumer at Brooks Motors. After retiring, he started mowing lawns for others and had 18 costumers that he took care of. He loved a well-manicured yard.  Leon and Gladys were big fans of the Minnesota Twins and even adventured to the cities to attend a game. In his younger years he enjoyed grouse hunting and fishing. They owned a trailer on Roy Lake and the boys loved to go fishing. The more boats the better! He also loved to Bowl and was on a bowling league in Sisseton. Leon and Gladys would spend many weekends at auction sales where he was always thrilled with what he came home with. One big highlight, he was able to go Elk hunting with his son Tim, an experience of a lifetime. They used to drive to Watertown and always stopped at Menards and go for pie at Perkins before heading home. Leon loved to take pictures and owned a very nice camera when he was younger, which means we have LOTS of pictures, and later Mom and Dad were like dueling photographers, she would take a picture and dad had his camera and take the same one.  In 2017, Leon had a heart attack, and was not able to do mowing jobs anymore. He loved spending time outside, taking care of his flowers and watching the birds and squirrels at the feeders. They loved for family and friends to stop by and visit and watch the kids play at 'Backman Park'. Gathering together for holidays or birthdays were the best time for them and every additional baby born was such a blessing. In October of 2021 they celebrated their 70 ^th wedding anniversary, what a great party that was! What a blessing for us kids to have our mom and dad for so many years. He was a member of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church where he served as an usher.  Leon and Gladys went to live at the Wilmot Care Center Assisted Living in February of 2022. Gladys passed away unexpectedly last Memorial Day and Leon has been heartbroken without his partner in life.  Leon passed away on January 9 ^th , 2023, seven months after Gladys, at the Wilmot Care Center in Wilmot.

Leon is survived by his children; Kathy Redday, Sisseton, SD; Leon Jr, Beardsley, MN; Carolyn [Jim] Senske, Watertown, SD; Tim [Renee] Backman, Lake Preston, SD; Kim [John] Cozad, Wentworth, SD; Carrie Backman, Wilmot, SD; 31 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and a few great-great children; his brother, Donald [June] Backman, Wilmot, SD.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Gladys; his mom and dad Julius and Mary Backman; son, Bryan; daughter-in-law, Julie Backman; grandchildren, Allison, Lee and Leah; great-grandchildren, Skyman Jr, Skylynn, LeAndra, Lee, and Michael Isiah; brother, Jens Backman; sisters, Pearl Ammann, Norma Madsen, Viola Taylor, Marlys Ballhagen, Marlene Eneboe and Eunice Berwald.

Private burial will be in the spring.