Ellen R. Backofen

EllenR. Backofen was born August 6, 1924 at home in Homer, Michigan along with her twin sister, Alice.  The babies were so small they were put in shoe boxes on the stove door.  Alice did not survive.  Ellen was raised in the Charlotte area along with her siblings, Carl, Agnes and Margaret. She graduated from Charlotte High School in 1942.  She then traveled with her sister, Margaretto California where she worked for the railroad.  While living in California, she met Milton Backofen also from the Charlotte area. They were married July 25, 1945.

After the war they returned to Charlotte where they raised their daughters, Judy, Linda and Nancy.  Ellen worked for Michigan Bell Telephone, Michigan Nations Bank and The 56th District Court. She was an active member of Charlotte Eastern Star and served as Worthy Matron.  She supported the high school band program, bowled and played bridge. After retirement, Ellen split her time between her home at Duck Lake and Arcadia, Florida.  She later moved to Scott Lake near Bloomingdale and then to South Haven to live with her daughter, Linda.

Ellen passed away at the Hanson Hospice Center, October 19, 2021.  She was 97 years old.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; Rena and Ed Farlin, her husband; Milton, a grandson Alex Lynam, her siblings and several nieces and nephews.
Ellen is survived by her children; Judy (Chuck) Ball, Mancelona, Linda (Allen)Crawford, South Haven and Nancy (Kenneth) Lynam, Palm Harbor, Florida.  Also surviving are her grandchildren; Rena Ball, Weston Ball, Jessica Cifaldi, Mark Crawford and Joe Crawford, great grandchildren; Maddisen, Aiden, Carly, Nicholas, Xander and Remy.

The family will always treasure the memories of the happy times at the lake, swimming, sailing, eating potato salad and making ice cream.

Visitation will beheld from 2:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. on Monday, October 25, 2021 at the Filbrandt Chapel in South Haven. Funeral services will follow at 3:00 P.M. with Pastor Eric M. Jarvis officiating.  Ellen will be laid to rest at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte, Michigan. Memorial Contributions can be made in Ellen’s name to the American Cancer Society, P.O.Box 22478, Oklahoma, City OK  73123.