BACKSTROM – Bertram “Bert”
March 15, 1931 to August 12, 2009
It is with great sadness that our family announces the sudden passing of Bert Backstrom on August 12, 2009 at his home in Prince Albert at the age of 78. Bert was born in Winnipeg, MB to Gustav and Hannah Backstrom. Bert grew up in White Fox, SK where he played hockey and farmed with his family while attending Elkdale school. Throughout the early years, Bert had a love for music and he could often be heard playing guitar and piano at dances around the White Fox area. Bert later moved from the farm to play hockey in Prince George, BC. Bert returned to White Fox where he met the love of his life Donna Morphy and they were married in 1965. Bert worked many jobs in and around the Nipawin / White Fox area until moving his family to Hudson Bay, SK in 1975 to work at Saskatchewan Forrest Products. In 1981 Bert moved his family to Prince Albert, SK to start his career in corrections at the Prince Albert Correctional Center where he spent 15.5 years. He retired in 1996 after spending 19.5 years with the Provincial Government. The rest of Bert’s life was spent travelling the country with his wife on bus tours and spending as much time as possible with his family in the trailer at Sunnyside, Emma Lake. Bert was a life member of the Elks Club in Prince Albert and held many titles within that club. Bert had many friends and was a people person always waiting to bait you into a good argument and then just chuckle while your pressure went up. Bert will be sadly missed by his family, friends and all who knew him. Bert is survived by his wife of 43 years, Donna Backstrom; his son Todd (Angie) Backstrom and the apple of his eye, granddaughter Morgan Backstrom; his sister-in-law Doris (Don) Holtsman; his brother-in-law Herb Morphy and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Gustav and Hannah Backstrom; his sisters Peggy Jackson, Elizabeth “Bessie” Vopni and Jean Parker; his mother-in-law and father-in-law Mary “Nana” and Dr. Charlie “Guggi” Morphy and his nephews Milton Shuh and Paul Jackson. Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, August 24, 2009 at Wesley United Church, 65 – 11th Street East, Prince Albert, SK with Reverend Tony Thompson officiating. In lieu of other tributes, memorial donations can be made to the Elks and Royal Purple Fund for Children. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray's Funeral Chapel, Drew Gray, Funeral Director.