Jill R. Backus

Jill Ruth (Titzkowski) Backus, age 78, of Cato, Wisconsin, passed away on August 19, 2026 with family by her side.

Born on August 25, 1947 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin to the late Alvin and Ruth (Hecker) Titzkowski, Jill grew up with her brother, Tom. She graduated from Oshkosh High School and continued her education at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education and later a master’s in reading. On October 28, 1989, Jill married Larry Backus. Among the many activities they enjoyed together, most notable were the trips on their Harley Davidson motorcycles. In addition to being a loving and devoted wife, Jill was also a thoughtful and supportive friend, daughter, sister, niece, cousin and aunt. She loved her family and friends dearly and enjoyed spending time together.

Jill had a successful career teaching kindergarten for 38 years in the Manitowoc Public School District and valued the friendships forged over those years with her colleagues. The consummate professional, Jill was an active member of local, regional and national education associations. Jill was also appointed and served as the second woman ever on the Manitowoc County Board of Supervisors. Jill’s love of nature and career in education led her to get involved with Conservation Education Inc (CEI) (Friends of Collins Marsh and Nature Center), where she served as a member of the executive board for several decades. After retirement, Jill worked with outdoor education programming at the Manitowoc School Forest. She also worked at Acute Angle in Manitowoc after retiring. Always generous with her time and talents, Jill was actively involved with many other organizations, including Heart-A-Rama, the board of Fox Communities Credit Union, P.E.O., and Faith Lutheran Church in Valders.

In addition to her career and service, Jill had a wide range of hobbies, passions and talents. She was an avid reader, an accomplished seamstress and quilter, and an exceptional baker and cook. Jill was passionate about the outdoors and enjoyed gardening, camping, and motorcycling. Jill valued travel near and far, and enjoyed annual trips with dear friends to Door County, motorcycle trips, beach days, as well as yearly shopping trips with her nieces and sister-in-law. Jill will also be remembered as a dog lover who was especially dedicated to her dogs over the years.

Jill will be greatly missed by her many friends and family members: beloved dog Rooney; sister-in-law Carol Titzkowski; nieces Ellen (David) Boldt, Laura (Bjorn Schalburg) Titzkowski, Ann (Dan) Farber; great-nephews and great-niece Henry & Peter Boldt, William & Benjamin Farber, Amelia Rodgers; aunt Tammy Hecker; cousins Marlene Burleson, Kim Hecker, Beth Tofari & family; Mark Hecker & family; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Kathleen (Joseph) Neumeyer, Kristine (James) Parkins, Paul (Sarah) Backus; nieces and nephews Sarah Neumeyer, Travis (Melissa Lodes) Neumeyer, Amber Neumeyer, Courtney Neumeyer, Valerie Parkins, & Cole (Emily) Parkins; great-nephews and great-nieces Joshua Neumeyer and Claire Neumeyer.

Jill was preceded in death by her parents, Al and Ruth Titzkowski, husband Larry Backus and his parents Paul & Ethel Backus, brother Tom Titzkowski, and uncle Carroll Hecker. Jill’s family would like to express their gratitude for the compassionate care she received from the medical staff on the 3rd floor at Aurora Medical Center in Manitowoc/Two Rivers, the kindness of caregivers and nurses at Rennes Health & Rehab Center and Renaissance by Rennes in Appleton, and Dr. Theobald for a lifetime of care.

A celebration of Jill’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 29, 2026, with visitation from 9:30-11 AM at Faith Lutheran Church in Valders, Wisconsin (255 Roosevelt Street, Valders , WI 54245). Following the service, a luncheon will be held for family and friends to gather and remember Jill. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Conservation Education Inc (CEI) or Faith Lutheran Church in memory of Jill Backus.

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home, North 11th and St. Claire streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with arrangements.