JAMES BACKMAN

James Allen Backman was born June 21, 1932 at Theda Clark Hospital in Neenah, to Gustav and Frances Backman. A lifelong resident of Neenah, except for a brief stint in California while he was in the Marine Corp, Jim entered the service out of high school. He had an opportunity to attend West Point but opted instead for the Marine Corps, where he fought for his country in Korea. Legend has it that Jim encountered a tiger outside of his tent on a dark Korean night and dispatched the tiger much like he did any other challenge – met it head on and accomplished the task at hand. Jim excelled in the Marine Corps, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant in under two years. Jim loved wearing his Marine Corps veteran ball cap later in life.

After serving his country, Jim founded Backman Builders and built approximately 200 homes in the Fox Valley over the years, including the one he and Blanche raised their children in. He also built the Martin Luther School and repaired the church steeple. Jim built homes for his children, and he would always help with any expansion or a remodel. Jim could envision something and then build it from scratch. Along the way, Jim and Blanche became owners of several retail athletic footwear stores. Jim and Blanche also worked later in life remodeling retail stores in shopping malls all over the Midwest.

Jim was married to his wife Blanche for over 72 years. They entertained many friends in their home, with various family, friends and acquaintances staying with them for extended periods. They opened their doors to anyone that needed a place to stay, whether it was a school teacher or just a friend of the family. Jim and Blanche traveled extensively later in life, either by car of by their favorite conveyance, Amtrak. Jim was very outgoing and helpful to anyone he met, so consequently he acquired many friends over the years from many backgrounds and cultures, including some very dear Amish friends from Michigan whom Jim and Blanche visited several times in the last few years. Jim loved spending time in the Upper Peninsula, where he built a ski chalet that he and the family enjoyed over the years.

Jim was a member of Martin Luther Church since the age of eight, where he ultimately served as President of the congregation. Jim was a gifted athlete, excelling in baseball and pretty much any other sport he picked up. He and Blanche both had bowling teams during the Backman Builders days and he also enjoyed ice skating, which also came naturally for Jim. Jim passed away peacefully on December 25, 2024. He will forever be remembered and greatly missed. He was a remarkable man, a great husband, father and friend. Jim is survived by his wife, Blanche, his children Cindy (Randy) Kolstad, Mary Jo (Kelly) Longgrear, John (Karen) Backman, Paul (Debbie) Backman, grandchildren Joshua (Elke) Johnson, Jesse Johnson, Justin Johnson, Rachael (Doug) Kennemore, Aaron (Dessa) Longgrear, Nicholas Backman, Jeremy Backman (special friend Amber) and great grandchildren Klara Johnson, and Jackson Backman.