Paul Nokes' mother. . .

Marie Caroline Backhus Nokes, 92, died on Monday, February 7, 2011. Wife of the late Vern Leon Nokes, Marie was born November 14,1918, in Mapleton to Henry and Adele Backhus. She was baptized January 5, 1919 by the Rev. Paul Elsel. She was confirmed November 25, 1934 by the Rev. A.W. Scharfe at St. John Lutheran in Mapleton. After graduating valedictorian of the Mapleton High School class of 1935, she worked for Dr. Graham Howard. She was married to Vern Nokes on February 25, 1940 by the Rev. A.W. Scharfe at St. John Lutheran in Mapleton. Nine children were born to this union. There are 23 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Surviving are her children, daughter, Sharon (Roger) Mailand, Seward NE; sons, Lowell (Lorraine), Alexandria, Gary (Carolyn), Del Rio, TX, Paul, Bellevue, NE, Leslie (Debora), Elbow Lake, Dennis (Kathy), Seguin, TX, Dale, Parkers Prairie, and Keith (Jerlyn), Hayward, CA; grandchildren, Sharon: Michael (Diane) Mailand; Joel (Becca) Mailand; Raymond: Ronald and David Nokes, Tonya McDaniel; Bobbie Youtcheff; Julie and Ray Ogden; Gary: Doug (Jennifer) Nokes; Jerome (Melanie) Nokes; Jason Nokes; Paul: Paul (Jennifer) Nokes Jr.; Ryan Nokes; Leslie: Tina (Mike) Funkhouser, Neil Nokes, Lynn (Jessica) Nokes; Dennis: Amy Nokes Kowalski; Greg Nokes; Bryan McLaughlin, Dawn (Shannon) Standridge; Dale: Stephanie, Joshua (Stacey), and Andrew Nokes; Keith: Charles Nokes; several great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Surviving also are her beloved sister, Shirley Ann Cichy, Alexandria; and sister-in-law and also her matron of honor, Ruth Nokes, Armstrong, Iowa; several cousins and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death: by her husband, Vern; son, Raymond and wife, Margie Nokes; her parents, Henry and Adele Backhus; a stillborn sister; daughter-in-law, Jeanne Nokes (Paul); former daughter-in-law, Donna Nokes; nephew, Roy Torgusen; and niece, Sheila Torgusen, nephew, Lauren Harris, and niece RaNee Nokes Barton.

Marie was a Sunday school teacher for many years before and after her marriage, in Mapleton and in Garfield. She served as Sunday school superintendent. She taught weekday school. She was active as a 4-H leader when her children were youngsters. She and her husband, Vern, were active in the Garfield Fire Department, where Marie was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary. Marie served on the Board of Directors for Lutheran Island Camp, Henning. She was a member of the Douglas County Historical Society. Marie served as Garfield town clerk and Ida Township assessor for many years. She was an honorary member of the Garfield Firemen's Auxiliary, and a member of the Douglas County Historical Society. Marie loved to write poetry. She had a couple of poems printed in the local papers.

Funeral services were held Monday, February 14 at St. John Lutheran Church in Garfield with the Rev. Shawn Ethridge officiating. Nancy Anderson played the organ. Interment was at the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be made to: St. John Lutheran Church in Garfield; Garfield Firemen’s Auxiliary; or Lutheran Island Camp in Henning,

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.