Esther Clara Alice was born January 9, 1931 to Walter and Edith (Pietrusky) Heiman on a farm southwest of Emery, SD. She attended school through the 8th grade at a country school. She helped her father on the family farm until her marriage on June 5, 1949 to Elmer Backes in Alexandria, SD. Esther and Elmer made their home in Ethan after their marriage; they lived in Milltown for a short time, Emery for twenty-one years and Mitchell for twenty-one years. Esther had worked at Raven Industries in Tea, SD and Salem, SD, A&W Restaurant and Sunshine Caf in Mitchell.

Grateful for sharing her life are her husband of sixty years, children Mavis Hofer and friend Ken of Pipestone, MN, John Backes of Emery, SD, Ken Backes of Emery, SD and Todd Backes and wife Kim of Sioux Falls, SD; one brother Dale Heiman and wife Kathleen of Bridgewater, SD; six grandchildren, Blake Hofer, Kerri Hofer, Colin Hofer, Lacey Carlson, Larissa Carlson and Lee Carlson; one sister and law Erma Heiman of Mitchell, SD and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her parents, brothers Lawrence and Harold; sister Vera Preshum.