Gary Alfonse Backes, 91, passed away peacefully March 15, 2026, at home in Evanston, Illinois, surrounded by his wife and children.
Born in Glenburn, North Dakota, Gary graduated from St John’s Preparatory School in Collegeville, Minnesota, and Marquette University in Milwaukee in 1958, taking time off during his studies to serve in the U.S. Navy. Gary was stationed in Japan from 1955 to 1956. He liked to tease his grandchildren that if he told them what his mission was in Japan he would have to “end their lives,” holding to this throughout his life, even when asked, by a curious grandson, right before he passed if he could NOW share his mission in Japan. Gary enjoyed a long and fruitful career in the insurance industry, retiring at the age of 62. He retired to Sun City, Florida, in 2000 and returned to the Midwest in 2023.
Gary was the beloved spouse of 68 years to LaVerne Jean (nee Klein) Backes and devoted father of Larry (Jodi) Backes of Guilford, Connecticut, Renee (David) Wright of Evanston, Illinois, Karen (Tom) Campion of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Greg (Ana Moreno Montero) Backes of Madrid, Spain. He was the proud grandfather of Karen (Nick) Kaiser, Sara Backes Moreno, Michael Wright, Kayla Campion, Cristina Backes Moreno, Rebecca (Tess Fulcher) Wright, and Connor and Christen Backes; and great-grandfather of Alex age 13, Andrew age 11, Abby age 9, and Luna, 16 months. He was the only child of the late Alfonse Valentine Backes and Beatrice Mullens Backes; and the treasured son-in-law of the late Clemens and Frances (nee Wolf) Klein.
Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, March 24 at Noon at Immaculate Conception – St. Mary Parish, 108 McHenry Street, Burlington. Burial with military honors Tuesday, March 24, at 2 p.m. at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
Arrangements made by Inclusive Funeral Care, (773) 318-1305 or www.InclusiveFuneralCare.com.