Thomas Backman

Thomas E. Backman, 92, of Two Harbors, MN died on Dec. 5, 2015 at the Minnesota State Veterans Home in Silver Bay, MN.

He was born on April 22, 1923 in Chisholm, MN, the 9th child of 12 children born to Axel and Elin Backman.  Tom graduated from Chisholm High School in 1941, and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in October of 1942.  He served in a signal battalion of the 6th Marine Division during WWII, having seen action in Eniwetok, Guam, Guadalcanal, and Okinawa.  After his discharge in November of 1945 he attended college and received his BA degree from UMD.  He married Ina Banttari in Hibbing, MN on June 10, 1950.  He was soon called up for active duty in the Marines for the Korean War and served from September 1950 to October 1951.  In 1953 he began his teaching career at Two Harbors High School.  The positions he held after starting out teaching include Junior High Dean, Assistant Principal, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, finishing his career back in the classroom teaching.  He retired in 1986.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and 11 brothers and sisters, Ray, Linda, Elna, Gunnard, Martha, Bertil, Olaf, Walter, Evelyn, Joan, Richard, and his daughter Carol Backman Hoover.

Survivors include his wife Ina, sons Glen (Linda) and Paul, son-in-law Cleavy Hoover, granddaughter Rachel Backman, grandson Cole Hoover, and several nieces and nephews.

The Backman family wishes to extend its thanks and gratitude to the staff of the Minnesota State Veterans Home in Silver Bay for the excellent care and hospitality Tom received while he was a resident there.

VISITATION:  10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Service on Thursday, Dec. 10 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Two Harbors.  Interment will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Two Harbors immediately following the service.