Cover photo for Erwin “Erv” Backlund's Obituary
Erwin “Erv” Backlund Profile Photo
1927 Erwin 2014

Erwin “Erv” Backlund

November 11, 1927 — June 9, 2014

Erwin “Erv” Backlund, 86, Moorhead, MN, died on Monday, June 9, 2014, in Essentia Health, Fargo, ND, from complications due to hip surgery.
Erv was born November 4, 1927, to Fred and Alma Person Backlund in Hickson, ND. He grew up and attended school in Comstock, graduating from Comstock High School. After a brief enrollment in the Armed Services, Erv returned to Moorhead and worked for Berglund Oil Company. He met Clarice Hatlestad and they were united in marriage on June 19, 1954 in Hickson Lutheran Church, Hickson, ND.
In 1961, Erv and Oscar “Bud” Swanson purchased the full service filling station from Berglund Oil, renaming it Erv and Bud’s Skelly in downtown Moorhead. Together they operated the station until their retirement on July 15, 1989 after 27 and ½ years of service. The day of their retirement was declared “Erv and Bud’s” day by Mayor Morrie Lanning. He was also a volunteer Fire Fighter with the Moorhead Fire Department for many years. Following this retirement Erv went to work at Wright Funeral Home where he served the community with the same dedication he had for his customers at the station for twenty years, retiring again in 2011.
His wife Clarice died in 2008. Erv continued to live in their house in Moorhead until moving to Riverpointe of Moorhead and eventually to Eventide where he was currently residing.
Erv enjoyed time with family, going to the casino, and working crossword and word search puzzles.
Erv is survived by his four children, Randy Brenda Backlund, Moorhead, Ricky Brenda Backlund, Moorhead, Renee Backlund, Moorhead, and Rodney Jane Backlund, Fargo; brother Peter Backlund, Cummings, ND, sister-in-law Irene Backlund, Fargo, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Carroll and Wally Backlund; and sisters-in-law Ethel and Donna Backlund.
Visitation: Sunday, June 15, 2014, from 2:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M., with a prayer service at 4:00 P.M. in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead.
Funeral: Monday, June 16, 2014, at 11:00 A.M. in The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead, MN.
Interment: Moorhead Memorial Gardens, Moorhead, MN.

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Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, June 15, 2023

2:00 - 4:00 pm (Central time)

Wright Funeral Home - Moorhead

605 2nd Ave S, Moorhead, MN 56560

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Service

Friday, June 16, 2023

Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)

Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd

4000 28th St S, Moorhead, MN 56560

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