Oct. 6, 2025:
Deanell Backlund of Mitchell who has been an educator, advocate and civic leader for over three decades was presented the 39th Spirit of Dakota Award Saturday night at the Huron Event Center.
Backlund was chosen by a state-wide commission of Tona Rozum, Mitchell, chair; Julie Garreau, Eagle Butte; Jean Hunhoff, Yankton; Carol Johnson, Watertown; Suzette Kirby, Sioux Falls; First Lady Sandy Rhoden, Pierre; Jacque Sly, Rapid City; Marsha Sumpter, Kadoka; and Ginger Thomson, Brookings.
Throughout her life Deanell Backlund has used her many talents to make the world a better place. As this year’s recipient of the Spirit of Dakota Award, Deanell’s courage and strength of character serve as a role model for present and future generations. Testimonials of her impact as an educator, advocate and civic leader provide a snapshot of the countless contributions she had made to her family, church, community and state.
For over three decades, students in her classroom were both challenged and encouraged to do their best work – a lesson that continues to inspire them into adulthood. Janett Uttecht, who was on the school faculty with Deanell recalls, “It is not uncommon to encounter a former student of the famous Mrs. Backlund and have them express what a profound influence she had on their life, always stating how fortunate they were to have been in her classroom. One of the comments most often stated is that she not only taught them excellent grammar and writing skills, and literature, but also taught them how to live life”.
A passion for learning began at an early age and prompted the small-town girl from Gettysburg, SD to pursue a degree at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, becoming the first one in her family to graduate from college. Since that time her dedication to DWU has been outstanding and continues today.
For 12 years, Deanell served as a trustee and in 2023 was appointed a lifetime trustee – the first woman to receive this honor. Also in recent years, she led the efforts for the creation and placement of a unique work of art outside the new Business, Innovation and Leadership Building – raising nearly $100,000 in a successful campaign.
She and her husband, Dave, have also sponsored an endowed athletic scholarship at DWU and other scholarships. In 2021, Deanell was selected as an Opperman lecturer for DWU’s Blue and White Days sharing her story of how her cherished university has greatly impacted her life. Getting the younger generation involved in the community is another passion of our award recipient. For the past three years, Deanell has led a group of students in a community service project on Wesleyan’s Day of Giving.
The Corn Palace city is very dear to both she and her husband, Dave, and is where they have raised two sons, and are now blessed with two daughters-in-law and six grandchildren. Family time has always been a priority for this on-the-go pacesetter with special trips and other gatherings planned throughout the year.
Additionally, the 2025 Spirit of Dakota honoree shares her endless energy and enthusiasm with her church and several organizations in the Mitchell community. Whenever a major renovation project was needed at her church, Deanell would lead the way to raise the needed funds and to roll up her sleeves organizing work bees for building Heritage Fellowship Hall, and then adding stained glass windows and eventually a portico and other improvements. Serving on the church council and in various roles in the Women of the ELCA continue to keep her an active and vibrant member of her church.
In the community, Deanell has been involved in the Pheasant Country Chapter of Pheasants Forever as an officer, scholarship chairman, and other leadership roles. The local chapter has the distinction of hosting the largest Pheasants Forever banquet in North America. Deanell is the decorations coordinator for the event and assembles an army of volunteers to set tables for 750-plus guests, along with decorating the lobby, stage, and every corner of the Corn Palace with corn stalks, pumpkins and fall foliage.
A Master Gardener and member of the Mitchell Area Garden Club, Deanell helps to beautify the city by maintaining the flower beds at the Carnegie Resource Center and at Veterans Park in downtown Mitchell. In recent years, she has chaired the committee to place Christmas arrangements in flower pots on Mitchell’s Main Street, and has been successful in writing grants to fund the project.
During her years of community service, Deanell has also been active in the Mitchell Area Community Concert Series, Meals on Wheels program, P.E.O., Beta Sigma Phi, and Rotary. Statewide organizations that have benefited from her talents include the Honored Women Educators of South Dakota and the SD Council of Teachers of English.
Oct. 2, 2025:
Two women from central South Dakota are among the 14 ladies being honored Saturday (Oct. 4, 2025) during the Spirit of Dakota’s 39th Anniversary Celebration and Awards Banquet in Huron.
Tawana Grueb of Onida and Elizabeth Nepodal of Platte are part of the group that will be given distinguished recognition throughout activities including Tea in the Afternoon, an art show—that’s open to the public– from 4-7pm in the lobby of the Huron Event Center, a 5:30 social and 6:30 banquet.
The award is given to an outstanding South Dakota woman who reflects the Spirit of Dakota by demonstrating leadership, vision, courage and strength of character and by her example, inspires others to make a difference in their community and state. There are nine judges and those from central South Dakota are Julie Garreau of Eagle Butte, First Lady Sandy Rhoden of Pierre and Marsha Sumpter of Kadoka.
Inspiration for the award is the nine foot tall “Spirit of Dakota” sculpture created by South Dakota Artist Laureate Dale Lamphere. The bronze sculpture stands at the entrance to the Crossroads Hotel in Huron.
The 2025 Spirit of Dakota nominees are:
-
Tawana Grueb, Onida;
-
Elizabeth Nepodal, Platte;
-
Deanell Backlund, Mitchell;
-
Louise Bauman, Huron;
-
Sydney Davis, Burbank;
-
Angela Drake, Sioux Falls;
-
Angela Fisk, Emery;
-
Kris Frerk, Garretson;
-
Julie Johnson, Mina;
-
Faith Miller, Belle Fourche;
-
Linda Paulson, Buffalo;
-
Annie Tice-Poseley, Wall;
-
Mary Lee Villanueva, Yankton; and
-
Joan Wink, Howes.
The winner is chosen by a state-wide commission of Tona Rozum, Chair, Mitchell; Julie Garreau, Eagle Butte; Jean Hunhoff, Yankton; Carol Johnson, Watertown; Suzette Kirby, Sioux Falls; First Lady Sandy Rhoden, Pierre; Jacque Sly, Rapid City; Marsha Sumpter, Kadoka; and Ginger Thomson, Brookings.
Courtesy image.
Comments