Dean Ellis Backen

Longtime Wasilla resident Dean Ellis Backen, 65, also known to some as “Boss,” passed away at home Dec. 11, 2014, surrounded by friends and family.

A celebration of life is at 3 p.m., Dec. 20 at AMVETS Post 11, 951 S. Hermon Rd., Wasilla.

Dean was born on June 14, 1949, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He attended Cooper High School in Minnesota. After high school Dean joined the U.S. Army and served our country valiantly for two tours in Vietnam. He then joined the Army National Guard and worked at Alaska Ferry System as a chef. Dean earned many cooking awards through the National Guard. He also was a Canteen Manager of AMVETS Post 11 in Wasilla. Dean’s joys in life were baseball cards, stamp and coin collecting, cooking and anything he could do to help others. He was an avid cribbage player.

Dean was survived by his father, Richard Backen Sr. of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; sisters, Marie (James) Johnson of Ramsey, Minnesota and Patricia LaBelle of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; brother, Richard Backen Jr. of Hinkley, Minnesota; nephew, Stephen (Cheri) Johnson of Ramsey, Minnesota; nieces Kristine (Steven) Davis of Hancock, Michigan and Michelle (Michael) Hell of Willmar, Minnesota; and his special friend, Colette Anderson of Big Lake.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Lorean Dille.

Memorial donations can be made in memory of Dean E. Backen to AMVETS Post 11, 951 Hermon Rd #2 Wasilla, Alaska 99654.

Arrangements were cared for by Valley Funeral Home, Wasilla Chapel.