Gretchen L. Backlund

Gretchen Heyer was born on October 27,1925 in Sumner, Iowa. She was the second of five children of Claude and Frances Heyer.  She graduated from Iowa State College in Home Economics.  While at Iowa State she was a drum majorette in the marching band and also played the bassoon.  She met the love of her life, Warren Backlund, at a Lutheran Student Group function at Iowa State.  He had just returned from serving in WWII.  They were married May 15, 1949 and built a house in Omaha. There they had 4 children, Nels, Claudia, Chris and Mark.  Unfortunately Chris and Mark died at birth.  Gretchen was a charter member at Morning Star Lutheran Church.  She sang in the choir and played in the bell choir.  With her Home Ec training she started a catering business and also made pastries.  At Christmastime she made German Stollen as gifts for friends and hosted Church Smorgasbords.  After closing the catering business she worked with her husband in the family plumbing business as a receptionist.  In their 60's Warren and Gretchen took ballroom dancing classes, enjoying dances at the German American Club and Peony Park, just a few blocks from their home.  Gretchen volunteered at the American Red Cross for 25 years. Gretchen and Warren traveled the world, going to Elderhostels and on Cruises, both sea and river.  They moved to Pacific Springs Village Retirement Community in the 90's.  Gretchen enjoyed reading, knitting, baking and playing pool.  She was a lifelong Iowa State fan and was not shy about telling anyone about her love of, and connection with, Iowa State.  For over 40 years she had season tickets to ISU football games.  She was devoted to her children; her 5 grandchildren; and her 8 great grandchildren.  She lived at Pacific Springs Village until her death. 

Preceded in death by husband E. Warren Backlund; infant sons Chris and Mark; parents Claude and Frances Heyer; brothers Jim and Warner Heyer.  Survived by son Nels (Jeanne) Backlund; daughter Claudia (Craig) West; grandchildren: Travis (Kellie) Backlund, Kyle (Stephany) Backlund, Michelle (Shaun) Beck, Rachel (Troy) Anderson, and Hannah (Dan) Houghton; great grandchildren: Ethan, Ascher, Carter and Malin Beck, Karsen, Jase and Kieryn Backlund, and Amelia Anderson; sisters Mary (Jim) Reuter and Patricia O’Brien; sister-in-law Beverly Brill.

Visitation Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 6:30-8:00PM at John A. Gentleman Mortuaries Pacific Street Chapel.   Memorial Service Sunday, May 5^th at 1:30PM at Pacific Springs Chapel 805 S. 173^rd Ct, Omaha, NE.   Private family interment at Evergreen Cemetery.