Obituaries

CHARLOTTE (VERA) BACKMAN Peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, February 24, 2013, Vera passed away at the Health Sciences Centre at age 94. On February 15, 1919 Vera was born in Winnipeg. She moved with her parents to the Macross district west of Eriksdale in the Interlake region of Manitoba at an early age. Her parents, Guy and Mary Ellen (Nellie) Murray had chosen a homestead there. Her growing up years included attending the Macross Rural School for Grades 1 to 8, which was the end of her formal education. To earn a little money in her latter school years she would ride horseback to school early in the morning to perform caretaking duties of lighting the school’s wood heater and cleaning the floors. Vera loved farm life and after marrying Gudni Backman, they worked side by side in running a successful dairy farm for 22 years, while she, in addition looked after the home and their four children. They retired from farming in 1959, sold the property in 1963 and moved to Warren, Manitoba. A natural caregiver, Vera attended to the needs of her husband’s parents, Daniel and Holmfridur Backman in their Golden years – with whom they lived until their passing. Her love of gardening, cooking, sewing and knitting met the needs of the family. To earn extra income Vera would knit special mitts and sell them to commercial fishermen. She was a very strong supporter of her children taking post secondary education, and was very proud that her four children all attained university degrees. While living in Warren Vera made the trek to Winnipeg daily to work in her son Winston’s dental practice where she was receptionist and office manager. After Gudni’s passing in 1973 she moved to Winnipeg and continued her dental office responsibilities, while caring for her aging mother. Vera retired from her dental office work at age 82. An unfortunate fire, which substantially damaged Vera’s apartment and personal belongings, resulted in her living with her daughter Dorothy in Virden for an extended period of time before moving to Winnipeg’s Lions Manor where she happily spent her remaining years. While enjoying living independently at the Manor she always kept in close touch with her family. Vera was predeceased by her parents; husband Gudni; his children and their spouses as follows: Clara (Bill) Foster, Harold, Hjortur (Stella), Elinor (Steve) Byron, and Kristjan (Ina); brother-in-law Henry; brothers: Ian, Sandy, and Guy; Aunt Janet, as well as son-in-law Keith Hunter. She leaves to mourn her memory, children: Charles, Dorothy, Winston (Diane), Earl (Candace); her sister Dorothy Langtved: brother Albert; friend Harriet; Harold’s wife Adeline; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. This very caring lady will be dearly missed by family and friends. A private family Graveside Service will be held in the Lundar Cemetery at a later date. The family would like to thank mother’s family doctor, Dr. Hai, and all staff members of GA4 and H733 at the Health Sciences Centre for the wonderful care and support they all gave.   As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on March 16, 2013