Bob Backhaus

Robert “Bob” Backhaus, age 74, of Wilmot, SD, went to his eternal home on Thursday, May 9^th, 2024, in his sleep as a result of heart failure.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, June 1^st, at 12:00 p.m. at the Wilmot Community Center in Wilmot, SD with son-in-law, Pastor Robert Grand officiating.

Bob was born September 20^th, 1949, in Garretson, SD.  He was the youngest of three children born to William and Orpha (Henjum) Backhaus of Garretson, SD.  In 1956, the family moved to California where he attended school through eleventh grade.   

In 1969, Bob married Cecilia Obenland and to this union was born a daughter, Annalisa on November 17^th, 1969, and a son, Keith Allen Backhaus on October 23^rd, 1976.  Bob enjoyed four-wheeling, hiking, fishing, and camping along with his children, family, and friends.  Sadly, the marriage dissolved.

Bob began working odd jobs at age seventeen.  In 1970, he began a career driving semi- tractor trailers.  He worked at Sipple Construction, then Western Chemical, and Gold Ring meat packing plant. In 1978, Bob was hired by Albertson’s Markets, worked sixteen years, and retired in 1994.  He was a 21-year member of the Teamsters Union.

Bob began a new life journey with DeDe Minnala on February 14^th, 1993. In August 1994, they moved from Phelan, CA. to Rutland, South Dakota, and married on September 20^th, 1995.  Bob worked at Madison Metals and then Madison Farmers Elevator.  In March 1998, he became employed by the State of South Dakota DOT.   In 2003, a vacation home on Big Stone Lake was purchased.  In 2005, they sold the Rutland home and Bob split his time residing in Huron, SD and at the lake property.  

In 2010, Bob’s job relocated him closer to home and back to the lake.  In 2012, they purchased a home and settled in Wilmot, SD and continued to split time at both places enjoying life with family and friends.  Bob retired from the State as a regional DOT Highway Maintenance Supervisor on June 8^th, 2014.    

Bob loved meeting people and had a humorous gift of gab.  He was known as a generous man, and one who lived life his way.  He enjoyed his time rebuilding large and small engines, tinkering in his garage, researching, and sharing his knowledge of world history, science, and politics with others.   

Bob deeply loved and cherished his children and family.  He always enjoyed their visits, reminisced of times spent together, the memories made, and looked forward to meeting his great-grandchildren.  As many know, Bob also loved his Country.  He was a deeply patriotic man, supported the constitution, the bill of rights, and enjoyed the freedom it granted him and others.  He honored and respected the American flag, and those that fought for his country.  

Bob is survived by; his wife DeDe; Ceclia Obenland Joder; daughter, Annalisa (Robert) Grand of Phelan, CA: son, Keith (Casey) Backhaus of Phelan CA; step-son, Andrew (Lynn) Minnala of Pinon Hills, CA; five grandchildren: Mark (Jasmin) Brown, Molly Mae Backhaus, Andrea Minnala, Trenton Minnala, and Raegan Minnala; three great-grandchildren: LilyAnn Brown, Barrett Brown, and Willow Ivy Brown; sister-in-law, Billie Backhaus; nieces: Jennifer Backhaus, Tammy Zayas, Tonya Sykes; nephews, Joshua Backhaus, Tony Reed and Tyler Reed.  

Proceeded in death were his parents; brothers, David Backhaus and Terry Backhaus; sister-in-law, Susan Backhaus; grandparents: Albert and Hattie Backhaus, and Oscar and Lillian Henjum.