Martha E Backhaus

Martha Emma Backhaus, 87, of Mankato, died Thursday, March 17, 2005 at Immanuel-St. Josephs Mayo Hospital following a stroke.

Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mankato. Burial will be at a later date in Pilgrims Rest Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of service.

Martha was born September 11, 1917 in Mankato to Carl and Anna (Fahrenkamp) Backhaus. She graduated from Mankato High School. Martha was employed as a bookkeeper at Gosewisch Furniture Store, American State Bank and later at Sears Roebuck Company. She was also the secretary for Pilgrims Rest Cemetery.

Martha was a lifelong and faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where she was baptized and later confirmed in the faith. She volunteered many hours of service at the church as a Sunday school teacher, a choir member, and was active in the womens auxiliary and Luther League.

Martha enjoyed her extended family, traveling, taking photographs, baking, playing cards, and visiting relatives and friends. She was a long time member of her sewing club .

Martha is survived by three nieces and their husbands, Marilyn and Bernard Scheurer of North Mankato, Barbara and Clinton Gunderson of Kasota, Rose and Tom Goettl of Mankato; a nephew and his wife, Dean and Jo-an Lavitschke of North Mankato; 18 grand nieces and nephews, many great-grand nieces and nephews; and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, and two sisters, Dora Backhaus and Nora Lavitschke Grant.