Dennis H. Backhaus

   Dennis Harry Backhaus was born on September 13, 1941, the son of Harry and Milda (Schillerberg) Backhaus in Ida Grove, Iowa. He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran, Grant Township in Ida County. He later confirmed his faith at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. Denny attended grade school at Hayes Township #5.  Denny attended Manning Community School his freshman year, but due to redistricting in 1956, he then attended and graduated from AR-WE-VA Community School with the class of 1959. Denny graduated from Universal Trade School in Omaha with a degree in Auto Mechanics and worked for Dewey Chevrolet in Omaha. 

   For a short time, Denny and Margaret briefly resided in Omaha. On December 4, 1960, Denny was united in marriage with Margaret Andersen at Bethlehem Lutheran Church near Jacksonville and the couple was blessed with four sons. In 1961, they settled on the present family farm south of Westside, where he farmed the remainder of his life. In December of 2020, the couple celebrated 60 years of marriage.  

Denny was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Manning, sang in the church choir, served on the church council, served on the board of elders, donated equipment, and time for many church projects. He also served as the director of the Crawford County Cattlemen Association, President of the Aspinwall Coop, and as a board member of WIPCO for many years. The Five Mile House was very important to him where he continued to enjoy the annual Hayes Township Schuetzen Verein (aka King Shoot). 

Denny always enjoyed going to the movies from a young age in Denison and Carroll, especially the James Bond movies.  He also enjoyed Polka and square dancing with Margaret. As a trained auto mechanic, Denny was the local expert on tuning engines to run at their peak performance to include many of his friends’ and families’ hot rods, pulling tractors, and racing cars.  His pride and joy were maintaining and restoring his 1927 McCormick Deering 1530 (purchased in Aspinwall) and his 1949 International KB3 flatbed truck (purchased in Westside), which he drove in many parades.   He was an avid antique collector of many items, mostly tools and tractors. Denny loved playing Euchre with friends and family, after Margaret’s passing, he continued playing and winning many tournaments with Carol as his partner. Above all, Denny cherished spending time with his family.

   Denny passed away on March 18, 2024, at Regency Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Carroll at the age of 82 years, six months, and five days. 

Denny was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Margaret Backhaus on February 26, 2021; great-grandson, Jasper Foley; infant sister; sister, Virginia Donnelson; siblings-in-law: Lyle Donnelson, Judith Deist, Patricia Custer, and Thomas Custer; nephews: Brett Andersen, Todd Custer, and Todd Yockey.

   He is survived by his four sons: David (Diane) Backhaus of Liberty, Missouri, Rodney Backhaus of Manilla (Kristin Backhaus of Waukee), Jerry (Carla) Backhaus of Westside, and Bill (Jenny) Backhaus of Griswold; ten grandchildren: Sarah (Aaron) Dixon, Benjamin (Lindsey) Backhaus, Emily Backhaus and fiancé, Peter Wagner, Elijah Backhaus, Kaia Backhaus, Sasha (Jake) Foley, Nick (Jami) Backhaus, Jessica (Jared) Hoffman, Larissa (Tanner) Potter, and Mandi Backhaus (Tim Barr); 12 great-grandchildren: Brayden, Audrey, Elizabeth, Annette, James, Jayden, Paiton, Brinley, Noah, Amelia, William, and Luke; siblings-in-law: Darlene (Tom) West of Kimballton, Duane Deist of Audubon, Ed (Vickie) Andersen of Kirkman, and Joyce (Merlene) Ostebee of Audubon; very special friend, Carol Peterson of Westside; and many other relatives and friends.

   Visitation with the family greeting friends will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. His funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 28, 2024, also at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning with interment to follow in the Manning Cemetery. Online memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society &/or The American Red Cross (search for Dennis H Backhaus Memorial).  All other memorials received by the family will be directed to lifeservebloodcenter.org or the 5 Mile House in Denny’s name.