Cynthia Ann Backes

Cynthia “Cindy” Ann Backes, 76, of Savanna, passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Big Meadows in Savanna. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 31 at Law Jones Funeral Home in Savanna, with a visitation from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. prior to the service. Cremation rites have been accorded, and burial will take place later at East Batavia Cemetery in Batavia, IL.

Cindy was born May 29, 1948 to Wesley and Sarah (Klingberg) Backes in Aurora, IL. She was raised in Aurora IL until age 9, when the family moved to Scottsdale, AZ. Upon her graduation from Coronado High School in 1966, she moved to Batavia, Illinois to live with her grandma Georgia Klingberg and her very special Uncle Art Klingberg.

While working at Furnace Electric with her “Grandma K.”, she met George Betsinger and married him on June 17, 1967. Together they raised a family, including foster, adopted and birth children. The family loved to spend weekends on the river at Uncle Art's Thomson cabin, fishing, boating & camping on sandbars, from here all the way up the Mississippi to Lansing, IA where George was raised. After their divorce, Cindy adopted one foster son as a single mom.

Throughout her life, Cindy had a positive outlook and a genuine love for all people regardless of their background, circumstances, ethnicity or faith, and her love shined through her beautiful smile. She loved to sing, play guitar & piano, listen to music, and
founded a group for adoptive families.

After 12 years as a homemaker, she became a stockbroker and later worked as a real estate agent and worked in various office roles. She was working in downtown Chicago when she tragically became the victim of a drunk driving accident resulting in a brain injury at age 39. After many years in various care facilities, she so very fortunately became a resident at Big Meadows in Savanna in 2014, which was positively life changing.

The loving care she was given at Big Meadows was exemplary beyond compare. The kindness, compassion, attention, respect, friendship, and love they gave her was unparalleled, and came from staff regardless of role, whether CNA, nursing, housekeeping, laundry, activities, maintenance, kitchen, admin/office, everyone! We are eternally grateful to all at Big Meadows, both present and past, for making her final years the very best they could be. Cindy is now free of her challenges, and we celebrate her eternal life, freedom, & peace.

Cindy is survived by her son, Tim Betsinger, daughter, Sara Betsinger, daughter, Lisa (Matt) Karl, son, Alex Barrera; five grandchildren, Tyler (Jackie) Wyatt, Matt Hollis, Taylor (Falko
Hussain) Betsinger, Tae Betsinger, Summer Hollis; two great grandchildren, one greatgrandchild-to-be; her sister, Cherry Hlava; brother, Bill Backes; several cousins, and her Big Meadows family. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, and her very special Uncle Art Klingberg.