Adolph "Pusty" Backlund

Adolph M. "Pusty" Backlund 96, of Norway, formerly of Cass Ave. Kingsford, passed away on Thurs. March 29, 2012 at ManorCare Health Care Services in Kingsford. He was born on December 29, 1915, the son of the late Matthew and Johanna (Nyman) Backlund. Adolph was raised in the Felch area and was a 1934 graduate of Felch High School. After graduation he worked with the Civilian Conservation Corp. (CCC)before joining the Army. He served with the United States Army 83rd Wildcat Division in the Pacific Theatre of Operations during WWII . Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Adolph married the former Rena Ronkko in Norway on January 26, 1946. They raised their family in Kingsford while Adolph worked for the Niagara of Wisconsin (NOW) paper company in Niagara. He retired from NOW in 1979 after twenty eight years of service. Adolph was a member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Charter member of the Felch-Breen Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4803 and the Carpenter-Clash-Johnson American Legion Post #50. He loved sports and especially enjoyed following the Kingford Flivvers and North Dickinson Nordics. He was an avid Green Bay Packer Football and Detroit Tiger Baseball fan. He also coached American Legion Baseball for many years. Adolph was preceded in death by his wife Rena in 1999; two sisters, Esther Carlson and Martha Glynn; five brothers, Eskil, Arthur, Salem "Kime", Godfrey "Guts" and Albert "Silver" Backlund. He is survived by two sons, Wayne (Susan) Backlund of Spread Eagle, WI and Kissimmee, FL, James (Mary) Backlund of Gaylord, MI and Beijing, China; three grandchildren, Rob Backlund, Zach and Max Backlund; many nieces and nephews including a special niece, Janice (Vernon) Anderson. Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 3rd from 4:00 to 7:00pm at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home. Funeral services will be on Wednesday at 11:00am at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. Rev. Lee Liverance will officiate. Burial will be in the Foster City Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded by the Felch Breen VFW Post 4803. Pallbearers will be, John Anderson, Mark Anderson, Rob Backlund, Zach Backlund, Sandy King and Randy Rice. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to Our Saviour's Lutheran Church or the American Heart Assoc. Condolences to the family of Adolph Backlund may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the funeral arrangements.

Adolph "Pusty" Backlund

March 29, 1916 - March 29, 2012