Kevin J. Backes, 35, Black Hawk, died Monday, February 18, 2013 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Visitation will be noon until 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, February 21, 2013 at the First Wesleyan Church in Sturgis with Pastor Howie Baird officiating. Burial follows at the Piedmont Cemetery.

The Kevin Backes Memorial Fund has been established for the education of his children at Pioneer Bank & Trust.

Kevin was born March 17, 1977 at Deadwood, SD, to James and Janet (Wood) Backes.

He grew up in Sturgis and graduated from Sturgis High School in 1995. Kevin played soccer, T-ball and baseball, AAU & high school wrestling, football and track. He also enjoyed motorcycle racing at various tracks around the area. He was a member of the South Dakota Army National Guard for six years.

Kevin graduated from Western Dakota Vo Tech in 1997 with a degree in welding. He went to work for CDK Contractors building draglines for two years in Gillette, WY. He returned to South Dakota and was employed as a pipe welder for Dakota Cement Plant.

In 2001, he married the love of his life, Tamra. They have two beautiful daughters and have been raising their family in Piedmont, SD. As a family, they loved boating, camping, skiing, and just enjoying the great outdoors together. Kevin also enjoyed coaching AAU wrestling and Jada's soccer teams.

Kevin touched the lives of many through his charming personality and devotion to friends. He worked with some great companies, including Canyon Construction and Backes Trucking. At the time of his death, he was working as a foreman for J.H. Hilt Engineering.

Kevin brought a smile to everyone's face and laughter to their hearts. The twinkle of his eyes will forever shine in his girls' eyes.

Survivors include his wife Tamra Backes, Black Hawk; daughters Jada and Talia Backes, Black Hawk; his mother Jan Backes, Black Hawk; two brothers, Chris (Wendy) Backes, Douglas, WY, Mike Backes, Torrence, CA; numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, grandparents and three uncles.