Gregg Backer

Gregg Donald Backer was born on March 21, 1965 to Donald and Sandra (Nicholsen) Backer in Pipestone, Minnesota. As a child, Gregg enjoyed his summers playing T-ball and swimming at the pool with his best friend, Toni Kruger. As he got older, he loved riding his bike around town with his friends. During his early years, Gregg was baptized and confirmed at the Peace United Methodist Church in Pipestone, Minnesota. He graduated high school at the Pipestone Central High School. On September 3, 1988, Gregg was united in marriage to Nicola Bird at the Peace United Methodist Church in Pipestone, Minnesota.

During his early adulthood, Gregg worked many different jobs. He worked at the US Bayliner Marine plant in Pipestone, Minnesota starting in 1984. He was at that job for many years until he became an over-the-road trucker in 1992. He trucked in Pipestone, Minnesota, and Trosky, Minnesota and on the Backer family farm until 1995. In 1996, he switched careers and relocated to Belle Plaine, Minnesota and became a heavy equipment operator with the Local 49ers, an International Union of Operating Engineers. In 2007, Gregg moved back to the family farm in Pipestone, Minnesota and continued to work in the construction field. He worked with D & G Excavating in Lynd, Minnesota and R & G Construction Co. in Marshall, Minnesota. Gregg took a job with Suzlon Rotor where he moved blades and blade sets in the yard. After he was laid off in 2008 from Suzlon, Gregg traveled up by Canada and ran dozer for the Enbridge pipeline. He continued to work Union jobs building windmills and windmill roads all over the tri-state area with Blattner Construction, until health issues arose on October 1, 2022.  Gregg passed away on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at the Sanford Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 58.

When Gregg wasn’t working hard, he could always be seen watching the Vikings – telling people to “shake your butts” for a touchdown or score. He also enjoyed the outdoors; he was always camping, boating with his family and friends, helping harvest, grilling out and spending time planting his garden and helping his grandkids pick vegetables. Gregg loved to connect with his kids through music; countless times hanging out with them and jamming.  Gregg will be remembered for many things, including his famous meatballs, mashed potatoes and gravy, his love for bowling and dart league, enjoying music, and driving his Camaro. He was very passionate about spending time with his cats and his huskies.

Gregg is survived by his children, Jesse L. Backer of Pipestone, Minnesota and Chantelle A. Backer (life partner Caitie) of Pipestone, Minnesota; his parents, Donald Backer of Pipestone, Minnesota and Sandra Nicholsen of Pipestone, Minnesota; siblings, Jeff Backer of Pipestone, Minnesota and Kari Nicholsen (Nicholas Matson) of Jasper, Minnesota; two grandchildren, Kyle Lane Hoffman and Sophia Rae Harrison-Backer; and his ex-spouse, Nicola Rae Bird-Backer of Pipestone, Minnesota. He is preceded in death by step-father, Ralph L. Nicholsen; grandparents, Matthew and Lois Barry, Elizabeth and Terman Nicholsen; great-grandparents, Frank and Wilma Backer; and Eva Christopherson.