Alva Charlotte Backstrom died on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at the age of 97 at the St. Aloisius Medical Center in Harvey in the presence of family. Funeral Services will be held Sunday, April 19, 2015 at 3:00PM at the Bethany Evangelical Free Church in Esmond, ND with Pastor Bruce Dick and Pastor Dave Fix officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, April 18, 2015 at the Nelson Funeral Home in Maddock, ND from 5:00-7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place at the Zion Cemetery in Rural Maddock, ND following the funeral service. Casket Bearers will be Joseph, Andrew, Benjamin, Joshua, Caleb, Jordan, Ryan and Charles Backstrom. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Sarah Van Veen, Rachel Backstrom, Anne Krueger, Michelle McIliravy, Kimberly Backstrom and Heidi Buseman.

Alva was born on January 22, 1918 to Ole and Emma (Pierson) Foss of rural Maddock. She spoke only Norwegian until she entered first grade at Hesper School and started learning English. After finishing her elementary and high school education, she studied at the Lutheran Bible School in Grand Forks and Fergus Falls, Minnesota. She studied business even though her dream was to be a nurse.

She returned to the Foss family farm until she married Purcell Backstrom on May 4, 1941. They farmed for a few years in Albert Township and then bought a farm two miles northwest of Maddock. They farmed there for more than thirty years with the help of their six sons. In 1976 they retired from the farm, though not from helping on the farm, and bought a house in Maddock. They were active in Zion Lutheran Brethren Church in Maddock and later in Bethany Evangelical Free Church in Esmond. Their life centered on family, church, community activities, and for years were involved in the Gideons Ministry. Purcell passed away in 1998.

Alva kept active in quilting, gardening, cooking for guests and helping others. One highlight of her week was hosting the Youth Bible Study in her home. She loved playing games and was a champion at dominoes and checkers. At the age of 95 she gave up her home and driving her car and moved to the Maddock Memorial Home.

She is survived by her six sons, Dale (Ruth), Dennis (Priscilla), Marvin, Philip (Carol), Paul (Donna), Nathan (Connie); 14 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Purcell, parents, her sister Alice Foss, brothers Johnnie and Edward Foss, and three grandsons Matthew, Jacob and Justin Backstrom.

Alva passed away April 14, 2015 at the St. Aloisius Medical Center in Harvey, ND. She was 97 years old.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials are preferred to the Bethany Evangelical Free Church Missions in
Esmond, ND.