Backhaus

Artie Evelyn Backhaus, 104, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, died p e acefully on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. At the time of her death she was a resident of Colonial Oaks Assisted Living in Katy. She had relocated there with her husband in May 2014 to be near her children. Graveside services were

Graveside services were held Saturday, April 10, at I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Rockdale with Adam Straznicky officiating.

Mrs. Backhaus was born Dec. 24, 1916, in Sharp to Frank and Effie (Voyles) Gamble.

She graduated from Sharp High School on May 24, 1935.

On March 15, 1941, she married her high school sweetheart, Wilhelm Backhaus. They made their home in Rockdale, where they enjoyed many happy memories. Together they were very involved with their church, their community and their friends.

Mrs. Backhaus was an active member of St. Johns United Methodist Church in Rockdale. She was a member of the Methodist Women’s Circle for many years.

She enjoyed playing bridge and was a member of many ladies bridge clubs over the years. She also enjoyed working with children and was employed by Rockdale ISD as a teacher’s aide for many years.

Mrs. Backhaus was preceded in death by her husband, Wilhelm Backhaus, with whom she would have celebrated her 80th wedding anniversary on March 15th this year; her parents, Frank and Effie Gamble; a brother, Glenn Gamble and wife Mildred; two sisters, Helen Backhaus and husband Siegfried, Edith Korthauer and husband Harry; and a granddaughter, Melanie Rothwell Byrd.

Survivors include a daughter, Linda Rothwell of Katy; a son, Paul Backhaus and wife Tena of Katy; a grandson, Travis Backhaus and wife Julie of Austin; two granddaughters, Kelley Morse and husband Kyle of Katy, Brittany Buchtien and husband Chris of Houston; and her great-grandchildren, Jentry and Lila Byrd of Houston, Karson, Knox, Case, Jax and Brody Morse of Katy, Cole and Beckett Buchtien of Houston, Kade and Violet Hellickson of Austin; also, several nephews and friends.

Pallbearers were Travis Backhaus, Jeff Byrd, Jacob Backhaus, Chris Buchtien, Dane Korthauer and Tony Marino.

Memorials may be made to St. Johns United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 168, Rockdale, TX 76567 or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at cff.org.