Backhaus, Judith "Judy" Thompson 74, of Bloomington, lost her valiant battle to cancer on August 21, 2019 after a three-year fight. She was born on April 14, 1945 to Bea and Anton Thompson of Henning, Minnesota, where she grew up. Judy graduated from Henning High School in 1963 and went on to attend Bemidji College for two years. On Saturday, August 7, 1965, she married Doug Backhaus and relocated to the Twin Cities. She transferred to the University of Minnesota and graduated with a degree in elementary education. She taught three years at Glen Lake Elementary School in Hopkins. In 1970, Doug and Judy welcomed their son Christopher into their home, and in 1972, Matthew joined the family. Judy stayed at home with her two young sons, then became a teacher in the Edina School System in 1988. She joined Cornelia Elementary, where she was beloved by students, parents, and staff. She taught there until her retirement in 2008, after which she continued to stop by with her famous pumpkin bars and provide counsel and a warm smile to her former colleagues. Judy had many hobbies and a treasure-trove of dear friends. She was an avid reader and participated in two reading groups. She took annual trips with the "Henning girls." She played cards in numerous bridge groups, and volunteered her time and talents to P.E.O. She also loved tending to her flowers. In the past thirteen years, her favorite role was that of grandmother, as she spent as much time as possible with her three grandkids, attending their school and sports events and enjoying long weekends with them at the family cabin. Judy is survived by her husband of 54 years, Doug Backhaus; sons Christopher (Amber) and Matthew (Melissa); treasured grandchildren Henry, Andrew, and Charlotte; siblings Mary Kary Nohre, Tony Thompson, Joan Torgerson, and Owen Thompson; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. A celebration of Judy's life will occur on Wednesday, August 28, at 11:00 a.m. at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska. In lieu of flowers, contributions to any of the following organizations would be welcomed: Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund, Abbott Northwestern Hospital Foundation, or P.E.O. International.

Published on August 25, 2019