August 5, 1948 – March 27, 2026
Clarene Backer, 77, of Greene, passed away at her home Friday, March 27, 2026.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Greene. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery, Greene. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, at Woodley Funeral Home in Greene. Woodley Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Carene and her family.
Clarene Marie Backer was born on August 5, 1948, in Mason City, the daughter of William Jr. and Leona (Andersen) Verhelst. She attended Holy Family and Newman Catholic School and later attended NIACC.
On June 17, 1972, Clarene was united in marriage to Roger Dean Backer at St. Joeseph Catholic Church in Mason City. They made their home in Greene, raising two sons: Ben and Joe, and farmed together throughout their marriage.
Clarene worked at Nielsen Survey Company prior to her marriage. She later worked for Fox River Mills in Osage and drove school bus for Greene and North Butler Schools for many years. She also owned and operated a wholesale fish shop called “Something Fishy” for several years.
In addition, she ran the family farm, where they raised various animals such as sheep and goats, Clarene also bred Border Collies and English Shepherds.
Her children and grandchildren were the center of her life. She was a 4H leader for more than 20 years and especially enjoyed helping children show their animals. A devoted member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, she served several terms on the church council and taught Bible School while the Catholic and Lutheran Churches combined their programs.
Clarene is survived by her husband of 53 years, Roger; her sons, Ben (Jenny) Backer and Joe Backer; her grandchildren, Haily, Carter and Cooper Backer, all of Greene; her sisters, Christine Whipple and Mary Rasmusson; as well as many cousins and nieces and nephews.
She is preceded by her parents, brother Bill and sister Nancy.
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