Howard Ganz

BACKUS -- Howard Ganz, 86, Backus, died Thursday, Dec. 7, 2000, at his home.

He was born April 25, 1914, in Piedmont, S.D., to Ben and Mildred Ganz. He spent his childhood in South Dakota and enlisted in the Army after graduating from high school. He served in World War II, receiving the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged Aug. 18, 1945. He moved to Minnesota and bought a resort on Widow Lake. He married Luella Knopf in 1947 and they settled on homesteaded property on Pine Mountain Lake in Backus where he had lived until his death. He worked as a millwright in the taconite plants on the Iron Range until his retirement in 1965. He was a member of the Backus American Legion.

Survivors include his wife, Luella; a daughter, Sharon Read, Kalispell, Mont.; and a son, Bill Ganz, Backus.

His parents and a brother, Allen, died earlier.

Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Church of the Nazarene in Backus with Pastor Melvin Patrick officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Backus.

Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Monday at Kline Funeral Home in Pine River.