Jean Marie Backes

Backes, Jean M. McFarland-Jean Marie Backes, nee Cuta, age 56, passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 in Denver, Colorado.   She was born at Great Lakes Naval Station Hospital, Great Lakes, IL on March 4, 1953, a daughter of Robert and Maxine (Marsolek) Cuta.   On January 1, 1982 she was united in marriage to Joseph Gerard Backes at St Dennis Catholic Church in Madison WI.   Jean attended St Dennis Elementary and Edgewood High Schools in Madison WI.   She attended Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, WI and was active in student government, recognized in ""Who's Who in American Colleges"", inducted into the National Greek Honor Society and in 1975 graduated with honors with a degree in Occupational Therapy (OT). She was a member of the OT Department at UW Hospital in Madison and held similar positions at hospitals in Kenosha, WI, Boulder, CO, Alamogordo, NM, Belleville, IL and Sicily, Italy.   Jean was an amazing mother and loving wife who loved to help her family -- whether she was answering any and every question they could think of, or spurring them on to the next adventure. And she was always ready to celebrate the lighter side of life with her silly jokes and her quirky sense of humor.   She had a deep faith in God and a love for all of his creation.   As an outdoor enthusiast, Jean enjoyed camping, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and bicycling, especially with her family and friends.   She was inventive and creative, using her many talents as a seamstress, artist, gardener, baker, chef and her work as an occupational therapist.   Her love of travel took her to many places around the world sharing this love with her family and friends.   She is survived by her husband Joseph Gerard Backes, McFarland, WI, daughters Karen Marie Backes, McFarland, WI, Tracy Morgan Backes, San Rafael, CA and son Brian Joseph Backes, McFarland, WI. Her parents Robert and Marie Cuta, Oregon WI,   a sister Mary (Mike) McNulty of Waunakee, brothers Mark (Kate) Cuta, Columbia, MO, John (Brenda) Cuta, Oregon, WI and Paul (Kelly) Cuta of Middleton WI. Sisters-in-law; Susan (Michael) Jarvela, Green Bay, WI, Jeanne Backes, Appleton, WI, Margaret (Edward) Szoke, Boulder, CO, Elizabeth Backes, Madison, WI, brothers-in-law; William (Diane) Backes, Madison, WI, John (Sharon) Backes, Huntington, IN, and Robert (Cecily) Backes, Lakewood, CO and is further survived by many loving nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.   Jean was preceded in death by her paternal & maternal Grandparents, her parents-in-law Morgan and Jane (Simons) Backes and her sister-in-law Mary Agnes Backes.   A memorial mass will be held on Monday, August 31, 2009 at 11:00 am at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5306 Main St., McFarland with the Rev. Father Stephen Smith, celebrant.   Burial will follow at a later date.   The family will greet friends at church on Monday from 10:00 am until the time of service.   The family would like to thank the many friends that have shared their thoughts and prays during this difficult week.   In lieu of flowers, a memorials in Jean's name to The Brain Aneurysm Foundation.   Little Did We Know Little did we know that morning that God would call you name. In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone. For part of us went with you the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide. And though we cannot see you, you are always on our side. Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same. But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.   Olson-Holzhuter-Cress 5801 Hwy 51 McFarland 608-838-0655 www.CressFuneralService.com