Lida Mae Backenkeller

Lida Mae Backenkeller, age 97, of Elizabeth, Illinois, passed away Saturday, August 18, 2018 at Mercy Hospital, Dubuque, Iowa. A Memorial Service will be held in her honor 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 8, 2018 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Elizabeth with Reverend Mike Nesbit officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 8, 2018 at the Church. Private inurnment will take place in the Elizabeth Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Elizabeth.

Lida was born August 14, 1921, in Hamilton County, Illinois, the daughter of Leeman and Effie (Smith) Irby. On May 31, 1941, Lida married John Backenkeller in South Fulton, Tennessee. They celebrated 53 years of marriage before John’s passing June 8, 1994. Lida then lived in her home independently until May of this year.

John and Lida farmed in rural Schapville, Illinois before bought and operated the Elizabeth Hardware Store for thirty years. She loved the community of Elizabeth and was a great homemaker. Lida enjoyed doing crosswords, needlework, watching and reading Westerns, and in younger years, dancing and traveling.

Lida will be dearly missed by her son Stanley (Nancy) Backenkeller of Elizabeth; her grandson, Stephen (Judy) Backenkeller of Tucson, Arizona; and two great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Jade. Lida is preceded in death by her husband John; two sisters, Aileen Gray and Nova Tate; two brothers, Olin and Walter; and a granddaughter, Julie.

Lida’s family gives a big thank you to the loving care provided by Dr. Crist, Dr. Vandigo, The Waverly Place in Stockton, and 24-Hour Care of Galena.