Lorraine Edith (Tuttle) Backer

Lorraine Edith (Tuttle) Backer was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Bertha (Moore) Tuttle and Herbert Leroy Tuttle on July 23, in the year of our Lord, 1921. On Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at the age of 88 years, 8 months, 14 days she was called home to heaven and transferred to the Kingdom of Glory. Lorraine was her parent’s oldest child and the first of three. She had a younger brother and sister. Her siblings were Raymond Roy (Bud) Tuttle and Marie Eileen (Tuttle) Amdal. Both her parents and siblings have preceded her in death. Lorraine left school upon the completion of eighth grade and entered a trade school to become a beautician. She began her career at a beauty shop in North St. Louis. Seeking work during the Great Depression, Lorraine’s father moved the family to Seattle, Washington in 1937. In September of 1940, after maintaining a long-distance relationship with her sweetie, Martin Backer, for two and half years, they were married in Seattle, Washington. That marriage endured for over 69 years until Martin was called home to heaven in January of this year. The newlyweds returned to St. Louis shortly after they were married and made it their home. Lorraine is survived by her three sons; her first son, Lewis and his wife Kathleen of Tucson, Arizona; her second son, David and his wife Tresa of Sedalia, Missouri; and her third son, Gary and his wife Donna of St. Charles, Missouri; six grandchildren: Kimberly and her husband Steve Van Kley of Tucson, Arizona, Jeffery and his wife Kathy Backer of Lakeland, Tennessee, Matthew Backer of Sedalia, Missouri, Michael and his wife Maeve Backer of Sedalia, Missouri, Timothy Backer of Phoenix, Arizona and Andrew Backer of Columbia, Missouri; and seven great-grandchildren: Patrick Backer, Brian Van Kley, Alexander Backer, Jessica Van Kley, Alyssa Backer, Valerie Backer and Arianna Backer. As a young teenager Lorraine began attending Sunday evening services at Hope Church. She committed her life to the Lord shortly thereafter and had been a member ever since. She joyfully and faithfully served the Lord the remaining days of her life. “Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 She is now enjoying the glories of heaven and rejoicing in her Savior’s presence. Visitation is on Saturday, April 10, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the funeral at 12:00 noon at Hope Church in Berkeley, Missouri. Burial at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either the Alzheimer’s Association or the Deaconess Fund of Hope Church, 4200 Brown Road, Berkeley, Missouri 63134. “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6