Wallace A. ’Wally’ Backlund

Wally was born May 31, 1920, in Hickson, ND, to Fred and Alma Pearson Backlund. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lower Wild Rice and Red River Church and was a member of the Hickson Lutheran Church until joining Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fargo when they moved off the farm. He attended School District #113 at Hickson and graduated from Comstock MN High School in 1938. Wally worked as a farm laborer for several farmers in the Hickson area prior to joining the U. S. Army. He served from 1942 to 1945 during WWII in France, Belgium, and Germany in the European Theater of Operations. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star and was honorably discharged. After his military service he returned to the Hickson area and worked as a club manager and meat cutter for the Equity Elevator and Trading Co. Wally farmed near Hickson from 1947 until his retirement in 1984. During the winter months he worked as a meat cutter for various stores and drove road maintainer for Pleasant Township. Wally and Irene Hatlestad were married on June 21, 1947 and were planning their 65th wedding celebration at the time of his death. Wally was a Golden Member and Club President at the Sons of Norway and a member of the VFW and the Eagles. He and Irene volunteered many hours at the Sons of Norway serving meals, baking pies, and making lefse. Wally also served on the Pleasant Township Board. He enjoyed dancing, deer hunting, and working in his garden. He is survived by his wife, Irene of Fargo; two brothers, Peter Donna, Cummings, ND and Erwin, Moorhead, MN; and several nieces and nephews. Wally was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Carroll; and sisters-in-law, Ethel and Clarice.