Gladys M. Backer, age 88 of Randolph, Nebraska, died on Friday, June 13, 2008 at the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Randolph.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Frances Catholic Church in Randolph with the Rev. Michael Schmitz officiating. Burial will be in St. Frances Cemetery in Randolph. Visitation will be on Monday from 4-8:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7:30 p.m. at St. Frances Church. Visitation will continue on Tuesday morning one hour prior to services at Church. Wintz Funeral Home of Hartington is in charge of arrangements.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jennifer Smith, Stephanie Weyenberg, Lukas Newth, Lance Newth, Jacob Backer, and Hannah Backer.

Pallbearers will be Dwayne Schutt, Darrell Schutt, Scott Schutt, Dan Backer, Randy Borst and Tom Borst.

Gladys was born east of Randolph, at the family farm, September 30, 1919 to Thomas ÒBillÓ and Hannah Huff Schutt. Gladys attended country school and graduated from Randolph Public schools in 1937. She was confirmed and baptized at St Johns Lutheran church in Randolph.

Gladys entered into Holy matrimony with Arthur Backer of Randolph February 4, 1946 at St Frances Church in Randolph. To this union were born four children, Edwin 1947, LaVonne 1949, Lynette 1951 and Donald 1955. They lived and farmed east of Randolph until Art suffered a stroke and the family moved into Randolph in 1957. Gladys worked for the Randolph Hatchery as a bookkeeper and did custom ironing for others. Later Gladys worked at Colonial Manor of Randolph in the kitchen and dietary departments. She was employed by Colonial Manor for 20 years retiring in 1991. In retirement Gladys enjoyed gardening, needle work and her family, especially the grandchildren. Gladys was a member of St Frances church, the Christian Mothers, and PCCW.

Survivors include three children and spouses, Edwin and Rosanne Backer of Sioux City IA, Lynette and Michael Newth of Gering NE and Donald and Jackie Backer of Randolph; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren; one brother Merle Schutt of Randolph

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers Fern and Alfred; husband Arthur on May 29, 2001 at the age of 81 years, and one daughter Lavonne Dziurawiec in 2007.