Mary Backer

A Mass of the Christian burial for Mrs. Mary Naxera Backer, 82, of Louisiana, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 6th at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Louisiana, Missouri. Father Lou Dorn will officiate. Burial will be at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Louisiana, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Sunday, July 5th at the Collier Funeral Home in Louisiana, Missouri. Mrs. Backer died Thursday, July 2, 2009 at the Maple Grove Lodge Nursing Home in Louisiana, Missouri where she had resided for rehab the last 6 months. She was born October 8, 1926 in Louisiana, Missouri to Fred Naxera, Jr. and Mary Zezula Naxera. She married Buckner “Buck” Edward Backer in 1949. They resided at and operated his family’s farm, known as Red Cliff Farms, on Highway 54, Louisiana, Missouri. Together they raised 2 sons, Charles Thomas “Tom” Backer and wife Cynthia of Louisiana, Missouri, and Buckner Edward “Ed” Backer of Louisiana, Missouri and his fiancée Sheila Knock of Louisville, Missouri. Other survivors include 2 grandchildren, Christopher Backer of Columbia, Missouri, and Katie Backer of Louisiana, Missouri. Extended family includes Shannon McGeorge and son Nathan with fiancé Brad Perkins of Troy, Missouri, Miranda Brown and daughter Ava of St. Charles, Missouri, and J.R. Brown and wife Lacey of Grandview, Missouri. Mary’s siblings include a sister, Anna Elder and husband T.V. of Louisiana, Missouri, and a brother, Fred Naxera, III and wife Imogene of Louisiana, Missouri. Mary greatly enjoyed visiting with their children. Her nieces and nephews were very important to her. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband of 47 years, Buck, and her niece, Mary Anne Elder Fox. Mary and her siblings were very proud of their parents Bohemian ancestors and spent many hours studying and exploring their heritage. They continue to hand down the recipes and traditions enjoyed by their parents. Mary Naxera graduated from Fontbonne College with a Bachelors Degree in nutrition. Her career included proudly providing good food and nutrition to the children and staff of Boncl School for many years. Before retiring, Mary concluded her career as a teachers aide at Louisiana Public Schools. Some of Mary’s favorite memories included the many yearly picnics at the family farm. She loved cooking and preparing the food and entertainment for 150-200 of her close family and friends. She also loved to raise flowers. Honorary Pallbearers will be Fred Naxera, IV, George Knock, Jack Huckstep, and Keith McClure. Active Pallbearers will be Jim Huckstep, Jim Gott, Fred Gamm, Bob Elder, Tim Elder, III, and Arthur Bradley. Memorials can be made to the Pike Pioneers Senior Center (which delivered meals to her for 2 years), the American Cancer Society, or the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Louisiana, Missouri in care of Collier Funeral Homes, Inc., 117 Barnard Drive, Louisiana, Missouri 63353.

Mary Backer

October 8, 1926 - July 2, 2009