Doris (Candy) J Backes (Sundby)

life story

A Feisty Daughter, Sister, Mom, Grandma, Auntie and Friend

A survivor of so many things. She is a warrior a victor. She endured great hardships in her life. She Lived her life how she knew best. We are blessed to have had this time on earth with this special lady. We love you Mom! <3

Our Mother, Your Daughter, Sister, Friend, Auntie, Wife

Where do we begin.

Doris was born to Nels and Clara Sundby in July 1943 in Canton, South Dakota. Doris is preceded in death by her parents and five siblings, and one son, Jerry Mullinix.

She was the youngest of 3 brothers(all now deceased) Les, Don and Sam, and 2 sisters Leone(Omaha,Nebraska) and Arlene (deceased is Arlene). Being the baby of these siblings , the stories the brothers and sisters have shared through out the years are many laughs and tears.

Our Mother was one of the hardest working women we know. She never missed a day of work. Always on time and very dedicated and focused to insure exceptional work habits and the highest form of integrity to her employers. She was all of 5'5" and worked like a bull dog.

She worked manual labor jobs, warehouses, ice rooms and grown men had trouble keeping up with her.

Our Mother's all time favorite Christmas's was with her long time boyfriend Donny. They would trap beaver and muskrat and gift us the best Christmas's of all times.

As time passed, and Donny passed Mom would move back to Sioux Falls, from Worthington, MN where she raised our youngest brother Troy.

There were five of us vivacious kids. Shelly being the oldest and only girl, second was Jerry who died by suicide in October of 1989. When he died, a huge piece of our Mother died with him. She was never the same after his death.

Three other sons, Tony is next oldest, then Tim and Troy.

She lived a very hard life and then, she didn't.

Any one knowing her, knows what a rebellious rebeller she was.

She was very independent and yet, dependent on us. We have always been there for our Mother, whether we liked to or not, loved to or not. I am certain she felt the same way about us. I say this with smiles and love in my heart.

Tim lived with our Mother for many years, and I believe, he kept her at her best. Tim gave our Mom someone to get up for everyday. I am forever grateful to him for this.

She did her best with the knowledge and resources she had.

She amazed all of us.

She never went with the flow. She was very OCD. Literally, you could eat off her floors in her home. She was always in a super hurry to do and go no where. She could drive us all crazy and I am certain we did that to her too. She loved her home and her favorite thing was planting flowers and having her yard and home prestine as possible. She knew and prided herself in knowing her green thumb came from her Dad.

She is survived by her adult children, Shelly Larson of Bloomington, Minnesota, Tony (Pam) Jensen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Timothy (Tim)(Shannon) Jensen of Sioux Falls and Troy (Tracy) Jensen of Renner, South Dakota. She is also survived by 12 Grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.(One great grand child deceased) There are many nieces and nephews. Too numerous to begin counting

She was diagnosed with Alzheimers/Dementia in 2019. She progressed very rapidly in this disease. She then moved to Daughter Shelly's home in Minnesota. It was a few short months and It was with family care and love, that a decision was made to have her put in 24/7 care at Augustana Care Apple Valley Campus.

Her dementia progressed in digression. She was no longer able to speak. She was unable to walk. She was drinking pureed foods. She would not have wanted to live this way at all. Her Mother also died from Alzheimers and related health conditions. She made us as a family promise to never allow her to live like she saw her Mother, and this wish was beyond our level. We did everything we could to give our Mother a quality of life worth living.

In the end, ultimately her wish was fulfilled to let her go and be at peace.

We know, she is sitting at the coffee table in all our Norwegian glory, rejoicing with her parents, brothers and sisters and her son, grandson and great grand son. We can hear the conversations and laughter now. The traditions that we remember began with Grandpa and Grandma. Auntie Arlene's home was the go to. The safe zone. The happy place. The holiday stop. We all loved having family gatherings with all our relatives at this table. I am certain, the legacy is continuing on. Mom loved going to her sisters home for the holidays. Sister Leone would come from Omaha with her family, and it grew and grew at this home. This is one of our Mother's favorite times of the year, Thanksgiving.

We have ALL shared in coffee talk at this Aunties table and ALL are truly a blessing...<3

We give thanks to and for our Mom. Enjoy your coffee talks Mom. We love and Miss you!

She asked to be cremated and to have her ashes in Sioux Falls.

In the spring of 2022 we will be having a Celebration of Life at the Phoenix Bar with great friend and owner Turk Franken and also at Brandt Lake with family and friends.

Details will be coming closer to spring.

memorial service

Spring of 2022

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services