In Memory of Beverly J. Backhaus

Beverly Backhaus, age 88, of Scottsdale, Arizona formerly of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Thursday June 15, 2023, at the HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center of Scottsdale, Arizona.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., with a visitation held one hour prior from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Reverend Neil Wehmas will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Beverly Jean Backhaus was born October 12, 1934, in Battle Creek, Iowa, to Len and Edna Morgan. She attended Battle Creek High School, Wayne State Teachers College, and received her Bachelor of Science degree from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa. 

She married Alden Backhaus in 1957 and lived on the family farm south of Ida Grove, Iowa, where they were blessed with their three children, Kerri, Brian and Robert. She was a lifetime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa and was active in the women’s church circle group. She was also a member of the Grant Homemakers club where she made many lifelong friends. 

Beverly began teaching in Kingsley-Pierson, Iowa, then left teaching to raise her children at home. She resumed her teaching career in 1974 as the librarian at the middle school in Ida Grove. A few years later she began teaching 4^th grade at the Ida Grove Elementary School where she taught for over 30 years. Beverly had a passion and enjoyed teaching many students over the years.

Beverly and Alden enjoyed many trips around the country, visiting with family and friends. She enjoyed playing cards with Alden at home and at the many card clubs with their friends and neighbors. She enjoyed having her children and grandchildren visit the farm and planned many “treasure hunts” for them. She had a special fondness for her nieces and enjoyed catching up with them on the new trends.

Beverly had a passion for genealogy, scrapbooking, and baking. She and Alden enjoyed hosting parties for family and friends and enjoyed dancing at the house, especially to Elvis Presley, Tom Jones and Freddy Fender. Beverly loved gardening, fishing, and paddle boating on the family farm.

In July 2014, Beverly and Alden moved to Lawrence, Kansas, to be near Beverly’s brother, Doug, and his extensive family. They enjoyed holiday dinners with family and made many good friends at the Meadowlark Retirement Community where they resided. In April of 2021, several years after Alden’s passing, Beverly moved out West to Scottsdale, Arizona, to be near her sons Robert (Scottsdale, Arizona) and Brian (Roseville, California) and their families. Beverly enjoyed her days at the Atria Retirement Community where she played bingo and socialized with her friends. Beverly cherished her time with family during the holidays and birthday celebrations. Beverly’s sense of adventure and dedication to family will be treasured and missed by all.

She is survived by her three children: Kerri of Glenwood, IA, Brian (Samira) of Roseville, CA and Robert of Scottsdale, AZ; grandchildren: Jack, Joe (Alyson), and Andrew (Sara); step-granddaughter Ally Watt; great-grandchildren: Izaiah, Emily, Connor, and Bailey; brother Douglas (Pamela) of Lawrence KS; sister Juanita Johnson of Holstein, IA; brother-in-law Charles Backhaus of Altamonte Springs, FL; sister-in-law Claire Smyth of West Palm Beach, FL; extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Len (Ada) Morgan and Edna Morgan; husband Alden Backhaus; half-brother Earl (Faith) Petersen; and brother-in-law Melvin Johnson.