James E. “Hawk” Backhaus

McLEAN — James E. “Hawk” Backhaus, 63, McLean, died Jan. 27, 2019, at Osmond General Hospital, Osmond.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m., Thursday, at Johnson Funeral Home, Randolph.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Feb. 1, at United Methodist Church – Randolph, with Rev. Judy Carlson officiating.

Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, rural McLean.

Pallbearers will be Thomas Backhaus, Jessie Backhaus, Brandon Backhaus, Brian West, Marc Fisher and Dave Robinson.

Honorary pallbearers will be Chris Wagner, Doug “Geno” Whalen, Wayne West, Brian Wagner, and all of Jim’s brothers and sisters.

James was born Nov. 5, 1955, at Norfolk, the son of Kenneth and Alice (Veik) Backhaus. He attended grade school at McLean and was a 1974 graduate of Randolph High School. Jim was employed at Backhaus Sand and Gravel until 1994.

Jim married Cindy Allbrecht Nov. 8, 1975, at the United Methodist Church in Magnet. To this union was born three sons, Thomas, Jessie and Brandon. The couple later divorced. Jim married Linda Robinson Oct. 14, 2000, at United Methodist Church, McLean.

Jim started a sideline business called Hawk’s Toys, restoring motorcycles and other toys until 2008. In 1994, Jim began working for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in area B in Norfolk, employed there until 2012. He started working with his brother, Gary, at Gary Backhaus Gravel, for three years until 2015, when he retired due to his health issues.

Jim was a 30-year volunteer fireman for McLean and Osmond Fire Department. He was currently serving as Mayor of McLean, since 1994, with a total of 37 years as a councilman and Mayor of McLean. He was a lifetime member of McLean United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Backhaus, McLean; three sons, Thomas and Jeanne Backhaus, Mission Viejo, Calif.; Jessie Backhaus, McLean; Brandon Backhaus and companion, Jessarae Swift, Randolph; six grandchildren; mother, Jean Backhaus, McLean; two step sons, Chris and Robin Wagner, Osmond, and Brian and Melissa Wagner, Orlando, Fla.; seven step grandchildren; seven siblings, Judy and Wayne West, Norfolk; Gerald and Cheri Backhaus, McLean; Rick Backhaus, Yankton, S.D.; Lynette and Gary Janssen, Burnt Hills, N.Y.; Gary Backhaus, Hartington; Doug and Sheri Backhaus, McLean; Scott and Gina Backhaus, Randolph.

Preceding him in death are his father, Kenneth; sister, Cheryl; niece, Wendy; nephew, Richard; and great-nephew, Briggs.