Obituary of Colleen Backstrand

Colleen Backstrand was born October 9, 1940 in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota to Marjorie (Thymian) and Jesse Morrison. She was the oldest of three children. Colleen graduated from Odessa High School where she excelled as a student and was active in band (marching majorette), choir and cheerleading. Colleen met Karl Backstrand while roller skating at Sioux Historic Pavillion and the rest, as they say, is history! She and Karl married on January 25, 1958 at the United Methodist Church in Odessa. They moved around a bit initially for Karl’s work, living in Granite Falls and Paynesville where they met some lifelong friends, before settling down at the family farm, which they named Wool Creek Farm, 3 miles north of Ortonville. The couple were blessed with 7 children, Colette, Kevin, Kim, Cara, Kent, Craig and Kelly. They shared 66 years of marriage-they did everything together and were an example of love and commitment to their children.

Colleen worked at the Ortonville Public School as the office manager. She loved to tell the story of how she only ever had 1 job interview and then showed up the next day and retired 35 years later. Colleen was fun and a prankster! Ask a teacher, janitor or bus driver and I am sure they would have some good stories to tell you. One may even include a family van completely covered and sealed in Saran Wrap! Colleen was creative and talented. She loved to sew, garden, quilt, knit and crochet, even spinning some wool from their sheep into yarn! She was a voracious reader, a red hat lady, choir member, church treasurer and Mary Kay representative.

Colleen was preceded in death by her husband Karl, her mother Marjorie and sister Bonnie. She is survived by her children, Colette Backstrand, Kevin (Becky) Backstrand, Kim (Jim) Klancke, Cara (Kevin) Siebigteroth, Kent (Susie) Backstrand, Craig (Amy) Backstrand, Kelly (Brian) Essington; and her grandchildren Luke Backstrand, Cody (Jenny) Backstrand, Matt Oslie, Mike Oslie, Marissa (Chris) Anderson, Lauryn (Ryan) Nelson, Andrew Klancke, Keylen (Meghan) Siebigteroth, Kendra (Brandon) Forister, Melissa (Leon) Lavigne, Lindsey Davis, Alex Davis, Niki (Nick) Braaten and Adam Essington; her beloved great-grandchildren; Lola, Vayda, Fiona, Milo, Owen, Autumn, Helen, Aidan, Logan, Callista, Sienna, Isabella, Genevieve, and Olivia and her brother, Tom (Judy) Morrison and brother-in-law ‘Bud’ John Hans.

Colleen was welcomed into the arms of Jesus and reunited with Karl on January 6, 2025. She will be remembered as a force and fierce advocate for her family and friends, for her wicked sense of humor and sass, her devotion and generous spirit and, yes, her margarita recipe. Colleen made you feel loved and included. She will be missed ‘on this side’ of heaven. Memorial Service arrangements will be scheduled for a future time and will be posted as they become available. Memorial donations may be directed to Big Stone Tabor Church, 109 2nd Ave., Big Stone City, SD 57216.