Michael C. Backer

Michael C. Backer, 73, of Fairbury, passed away at Good Samaritan of Beatrice on May 15, 2020.

Mike was born January 13, 1947 to Sid Backer Jr. and Mary Ann Backer in Fairbury, where he attended school and was in the 1965 graduating class, going on to attend Fairbury Junior College and Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on a basketball scholarship.

He joined the Marine Corps in 1968, trained in San Diego, and was commissioned to second lieutenant in March 1970 and became first lieutenant in April 1971. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina until June of 1972 when he was discharged and returned to Fairbury, where he would work at the First National Bank, Bankers Life Insurance, and for nearly 40 years with Roode Packing Company until retiring in 2012.

Mike was married to Kathy Preston in 1968. They had two daughters, Angela Dawn and Kairi Michelle, and were divorced in 1978.

He married Joni Gausman in July 1982 and they remained together until his death. They had a son, Patrick Alan, born December 1992.

Mike will be remembered by everyone who knew him for his athletic abilities and general love of sports. He won numerous awards in high school, was named to the all-state basketball team in college and was physically active his entire life, continuing on to play city league softball, basketball, and excelling at golf throughout that time.

He is survived by his wife Joni , daughters Angela Kullbum of Elkhorn, Kairi Prososki of Omaha, son Patrick Backer of Fairbury, stepdaughter Karenna Awtry, grandsons Chase, Austin, Blake, Masen, Cooper and Jackson, and granddaughter Ryann, sister Marcia Bailey and her husband David, half-brothers Kurt and Chris Backer, brother and sister-in-law Jeff Gausman and Julie Little, respectively, nieces Adrienne Johnson and Meredith Nabholz and their children.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, numerous aunts and uncles, and his beloved black lab, Raven. He knew no strangers, and will be greatly missed.

No services are scheduled at this time.  Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.