Arvid Backman

Arvid George Backman, 83, of Wilton ND, passed into the loving arms of his Savior, on August 25, 2020 at Sanford Health in Bismarck, ND.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, August 31, at Mission Evangelical Free Church, 701 7th St N, Wilton.  Burial immediately following at the Mission Cemetery east of Wilton. For those unable to attend, a live stream service will be available on Mission Evangelical Free Church’s website, under the links tab.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Sunday, August 30th at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with a time of sharing beginning at 6 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Arvid was born in Wilton on July 16, 1937, to Lawrence and Anna (Hryckow) Backman. He attended Grass Lake Country School in rural Wilton through eighth grade where he was infamous for the “braid cutting” incident.

After finishing eighth grade, Arvid began working full time on the family farm that his grandfather, Oscar, homesteaded.  Arvid’s love for farming and country living never wavered.  He loved to visit and even shared stories of farm and ranch life with his nurses during his short hospital stay. 

On September 22, 1961, Arvid married the love of his life, Helen Steinert.  Ever the perfectionist, Arvid was so busy washing his car for his bride that he was nearly late for his own wedding…another story he loved to tell with his well-known smirk and a twinkle in his eye.

Arvid was very active in his community, serving for several years on the Grass Lake School Board and the Mission Evangelical Free Church Board where he and Helen were members for many years.

Arvid and Helen raised their four children on the farm where he grew up.  There he taught his children to work hard and love the Lord, always aware of the little eyes that watched his every move. The little eyes changed through three generations, but his example never did.

Arvid was a big man with big hands and an even bigger heart.  At first glance, his size could be intimidating, but his infectious smile gave away his heart of gold.  He loved to laugh and to make others laugh.  You didn’t have to be around him long before you realized you probably had to take what he said, “with a grain of salt”.  Even the nurses were not safe from his pranks just days before he passed.

His love for his wife rivaled those in a fairy tale.  As a couple, they were nearly inseparable for 59 years, doing even the most ordinary daily tasks as a team.  In more recent years, they spent hours together reading letters they had written to one another when they were dating. 

After his wife, Arvid’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were his whole world.  Grandpas lap was a coveted spot and always came with unlimited hugs. Arvid’s greatest desire was that his loved ones put their faith in Jesus and be reunited again with him one day in Heaven.

He is survived by his wife of almost 59 years, Helen; Two sons, Merlin (Karla) Backman, Wilton and Barry (Lorrie) Backman, Bismarck; two daughters, Valerie (Kevin) Johnson, Arvada, CO, and Twila (James) Kemp, Bismarck; 14 grandchildren, Logan (Saje) Backman, Nickolas Backman, Kesley Backman, Alisha (Shane) Mertz, Amanda (Eric) Triebold, Kristi (Nic) Geiger, Lacey (Nathan) Nelson, Dustin (Angie) Johnson, Marhya Johnson, Katie Johnson, and Micah Johnson, Norah Kemp, Olivia Kemp and Beti Kemp;  13 great-grandchildren with three more coming this fall; one brother, Sidney (Marlene) Backman; two sisters, Rosemary Johnson and Beverly Estes; one sister-in-law, Annette Backman; and many nieces and nephews.

Arvid was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Baby Boy, Norlin, and Melvin; two sisters, Genevieve and Alvina; two brothers-in-law, Chester Johnson and Earl Estes; and one sister-in-law, Margaret Backman.