Backsen, M. Alyn

M. Alyn Backsen, 98, of 6514 Rutgers, Houston, Texas, formerly of 2540 First Ave., Marion, and Fairfield, passed away peacefully to the Lord's care on Friday, March 25, 2011, in the caring hands of her family and staff of Brighton Gardens Skilled Nursing Home, Bellaire, Texas, following a lengthy illness. Memorial services: 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 19, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion, by the Rev. Mike Morgan. The family will greet friends from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on the day of the service. Graveside services: 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 20, at Glasgow Cemetery, rural Fairfield.

Survivors include two sons, Lee Bower Backsen and wife Alice of Houston and Kenneth Dean Backsen and wife Gloria of New Orleans; and granddaughter, Kerry L. Backsen and husband Craig C. Martin Jr. of New Orleans. She is also survived by Lee and Alice's family: Heather Dias and her husband Louis and their children, Matthew, Elizabeth and Rachel of Ponte Vedra, Fla., and Brad Clark and his wife Staci and their children, Ryan, David and Sam of Fairfax, Va.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Howard; a brother, Harold Ball Bower; and a sister, Mary Katherine Bower Boos.

M. Alyn Backsen was born Nov. 3, 1912, to William Clarence and Edith (Ball) Bower. She graduated from Fairfield High School in 1929 and taught school in rural Jefferson County for about 10 years. She married Howard O. Backsen on Aug. 16, 1939, in Fairfield. Alyn was a schoolteacher, wife, mother, homemaker and home building helper to her husband. She also was a devoted supporter and volunteer during her two sons' journey through high school, college and beyond and worked in the classified ads department of the Cedar Rapids Gazette for about 20 years. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Marion.

Alyn is remembered for the love she gave her husband of over 60 years and her two sons over their entire lives. Also for her disciplined but caring nature for family and friends. “Alyn always had a smile for everyone.” During her stay in Brighton Gardens, after the smile was difficult, she had a wave of her hand for the excellent caregivers there.

Mom, your sons will miss you for all the love, care and support you showered on us all your life. We could always talk to MOM no matter what. Thank you for your wonderful guidance and unconditional love. Mom, we loved to see you with “the little dog,” Lulu the pug.

“Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young, a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King, and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.” (Psalm 84:3-4)

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LA/SPCA), 1700 Mardi Gras Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70114 in Alyn's memory and in honor of her granddaughter, Kerry Backsen, employed there.

Please sign the online guest book for Alyn at  under obituaries.