Myrna Logean Backe

Myrna Logean Backe age 100, of Astoria, died Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011, in Astoria. She was born Oct. 27, 1910, in Dingle, Idaho, to Thomas Ernest Sparks and Hanna Louise Humpherys. In 1962, she married William Nathaniel Backe in Salem. He preceded her in death. Mrs. Backe worked as a waitress and bookkeeper, retiring in 1973. She had lived in Clatsop County for 30 years. Family members said that in early retirement, she and her husband traveled extensively in their fifth wheeler. In later years, she loved to play bingo at the Warrenton Senior Center. She also enjoyed playing shanghaied rummy with friends and family, and belonged to a pinochle club in Warrenton. She is survived by a daughter, Barbara Balensifer of Warrenton; three grandchildren, Mike Balensifer and his wife, Suzi, of Warrenton, Mark Balensifer and his wife, Sheri, of Coos Bay, and Chris Corn; five great-grandchildren, Nicole Brown and her husband, Adam, of Svensen and Wesley Balensifer and his wife, Stephanie, Wendey Moore, Elise Bigelow and her husband, Chris, and Henry Balensifer III, all of Warrenton; eight great-grandchildren, Michael and Halle Moore, Synnove and Soren Brown, Tayanah and Briele Balensifer and Kenzi and Ryan Rudduck; and Travis Moore and other extended family members. She was preceded in death by a son, Ron Corn. A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, at Ocean View Cemetery in Warrenton. Memorial contributions may be made to the Warrenton Senior Citizens Inc., in care of Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary, 1165 Franklin Ave., Astoria, OR 97103.