Clara Josephine Backes

Clara Josephine Backes, age 91 a longtime resident of Loose Creek passed away Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at Westphalia Hills surrounded by her family.

Clara was born February 15, 1923, in Loose Creek, a daughter to the late Gustave and Mary (Mertens) Kremer.

Clara attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Loose Creek and later received her GED.

On June 16, 1948, she was united in marriage to Aloysius "Al" Backes at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Loose Creek. He preceded her in death on September 12, 2002.

Clara was employed for 22 years at Osage County Human Development Corporation. She retired on May 13, 1988. She lived most of her life in Loose Creek and has spent the last 10 years at Westphalia Retirement Center where she enjoyed making friends with fellow residents and participating in activities.

Clara was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Loose Creek, St. Ann's Sodality, Loose Creek Sewing Circle, Loose Creek Community Center, and the Osage County Historical Society.

Clara enjoyed trout fishing and camping at Bennett Springs, quilting, outings to the riverboats, playing Mexican dominos and bingo. She enjoyed being outdoors, working with her flowers, and visiting with neighbors as they passed by. She mostly enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, offering them sweets from her "sucker tree".

Clara is survived by seven children: Marcella Day (Mark) of State of Virginia, Wanda Woods (Jim) of Hartsburg, Roger Backes (Barbara) of Loose Creek, Donna Huebler of Linn, Gail Luecke (Dennis) of Loose Creek, Eileen Brune (Dave) of Meta, and Bert Fick (Greg) of Rich Fountain; two brothers, Aloys Kremer (Mary Esther) of Loose Creek and Sylvester Kremer (Evelyn) of Loose Creek; four sisters, Pauline Bescheinen (Hubert) of Loose Creek, Margaret Kremer, Agnes Muenks, and Theresa Haslag all of Jefferson City; two brothers-in-law, Alvin Toebben of St. Martins and Herman Massman of Wardsville; 22 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren.

In addition to her spouse and parents, Clara was preceded in death by: two sisters, Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Massman and Generose Toebben; a son-in-law, Bill Huebler; a great granddaughter, Gracie Huebler; and two brothers-in-law, Ed Muenks and Hugo Haslag.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 18, 2014, at Morton Chapel in Linn.
A prayer service will be held at 3:30 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2014, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Loose Creek with Fr. Don Antweiler and Fr. James Finder as concelebrants. Interment will follow in the Immaculate Conception Parish Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy suggested to the Westphalia Hills Activity Fund, Adam Carwile Scholarship Fund or Immaculate Conception Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Morton Chapel, Linn, Missouri (897-2214)
www.mortonchapel.com