Ina Backman

Ina Ethel (Banttari) Backman died peacefully on April 19, 2022 at Barross Cottage 2 in Two Harbors, MN.  She was 95.  Ina was born November 7, 1926 in Bismarck, ND to Jacob and Hilma Banttari.  When she was about 6 years old, she moved with her family to a farm near Hibbing, MN and after a few more years moved to another farm near the Hibbing airport.  Each farm was only a little less poor than the previous one.

Ina attended public schools in Hibbing, worked for St. Louis County in the Hibbing welfare office, and worked as a nanny for a time in Hibbing.  She eventually met her future husband Thomas Backman at a dance hall near Side Lake north of Chisholm, MN.  They married in June of 1950 in Hibbing, just a few months before Tom was called up by the Marines for service in Korea.  After he returned, Tom and Ina lived in Hibbing for a couple years while Tom had his first teaching job in Cook, MN.  Their eldest son Glen was born there a few months before they moved to Two Harbors in 1953.  Tom’s career at Two Harbors High School as a teacher and administrator spanned over 30 years.  Son Paul and daughter Carol were born in Two Harbors.  Ina worked as a bookkeeper for the Texaco station in Two Harbors for many years, a job she greatly enjoyed, even when she had to pump gas occasionally.  She was a long-time volunteer at Bethlehem Lutheran Church working in the kitchen for weddings and funerals.

Ina was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Tom, and her daughter Carol.  Her 14 brothers and sisters preceded her in death: Fred, Francis, Lempy, Felix, Edward, Henry, Oscar, Martha, Linda, Sigrid, Reino, Ernest, Sylvia, and Wayne.

Ina is survived by her sons Glen (Linda) Backman and Paul Backman, son-in-law Cleavy Hoover, granddaughter Rachel Backman, grandson Cole Hoover (Kayla) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ina’s family wishes to extend their gratitude and thanks to the staff of Barross Cottage 2 in Two Harbors and St. Luke’s Hospice for the excellent care she received in the final years of her life.

The funeral service will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Two Harbors on Tuesday May 3rd at 11:00 AM.  Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Two Harbors on a later date.