Donald Backer, 79, of Waterloo, died at Cedar Valley Hospice Home on Thursday, October 2, 2008, of cancer.

Donald Lester Backer was born July 16, 1929, in Clarksville, Iowa, the son of John and Augusta Wiedenbeck DeBuhr Backer. He married Evelyn Knapp on March 25, 1950 in Colwell, Iowa.

Don received his GED from Hawkeye Community College-an accomplishment of which he was very proud to have achieved.

Don worked for 33 years at Rath Packing Co until it closed. He then worked in the Waterloo City Parking Ramps and helped at Bethel Presbyterian Church.

Don was a member of the International Order of Kings Daughters and Sons; he volunteered at the Catholic Worker House, Salvation Army, St Vincent DePaul, and Meals on Wheels. He enjoyed tractors, going to second-hand sales, and music of all kinds. Most of all, Don was a “family” man and his family meant the world to him.

Don is survived by his wife Evelyn Backer of Waterloo; three daughters: Carolyn Mulder and her husband Douglas of Aplington, Diane Ernster and her husband Dennis of Brandon, and Virginia Reiss and her husband Louis of Waterloo; three sons: Steven and his wife Lisa of Holland, Scott and his wife Lidia of Aurora, Colorado, and Harry and his wife Lisa of Independence; 17 grandchildren; and 17 great grandchildren.

He is also survived by his sister Gladys Blunt, brother in law Carl Knapp and his wife Millie all of Charles City, and three sisters in law: Doris Hibner and her husband Don of Charles City, Bessie Backer of Clarksville, and Ethel Backer of Greene.

Donald is preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter Gloria; four brothers: Harry, August, Paul, and John; and two sisters Grace Ackerman and Betty Durand.