Charles Backlund, 92, of Pierre, SD, died Thursday, May 8, 2025, at home surrounded by family. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 15 at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Pierre, with visitation for one hour prior. Burial took place on Monday, May 19 at 1:30 p.m. (MT) at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
Charles was born to Gustav (Ed) and Gladys (Lowrie) Backlund, in Mitchell, South Dakota on October 29, 1932. He grew up on a farm south of Mitchell and attended grade school in a country school. The family moved into Mitchell where he attended high school. In 1951 he enrolled at South Dakota State College and graduated with a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Management in 1954. Charles was in ROTC and was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base at the rank of lieutenant for two years. In 1957 began his career with the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department, where his love of wildlife and conservation helped to preserve beauty of the outdoors for generations to come. He started out as a creel census worker and moved up the ladder of success over the years. He served as assistant superintendent of fisheries at Woonsocket, assistant regional manager at Pickstown, assistant regional supervisor at Chamberlain, and division staff specialist in Pierre. He retired in 1992 after 35 years of service.
Charles married the love of his life, Myrtle Wells, on May 30, 1954. They were married for 70 years. He was a devoted husband and father. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, birdwatching, and collecting guns. He was an all-around handyman. There was nothing he could not fix. He was an expert carpenter and largely built the house the family lived in east of Pierre. He served as scoutmaster in Woonsocket, a longtime member of Missouri Breaks Audubon Chapter, and a dedicated member of Resurrection Lutheran Church.
Charles is survived by his children, Douglas Backlund; Susan Leach and husband Richard; Sally Backlund Scaglione; Ted Backlund and wife Wendy; grandchildren Nicholas Backlund, Richard Leach, Kelly Ervin, Joshua Leach, Stephanie Scaglione, Terah Backlund, and Nathaniel Backlund, as well as eight greatgrandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife Myrtle, sisters Delores Osborne and Lois Heintz, and granddaughter Aimee Lange.
