Arlene L. Babcock

Arlene Louise (Schmidt) Babcock was born on November 14, 1931 to Mary (Boysen) and Alfred Schmidt, Sr. in Ida Grove, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ida Grove. She graduated from Ida Grove High School in 1950.

Arlene was united in marriage to Lloyd Babcock on February 20, 1955 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ida Grove. To this union three sons were born, Duane, Dennis and Dean. The family made their home in Galva, where she lived for the past 60 years.

Arlene was a homemaker, as well as working at Bil-Mar for 20 years. She loved gardening, dancing, sewing, bowling and beautiful flowers. She was an excellent cook and was always eager to try new recipes. Lloyd and Arlene enjoyed taking their grandchildren on summer vacations and attending their school activities. She loved spending time with family and enjoyed the fun conversation, playing cards and many other activities that they did together. She also really enjoyed the morning coffee hour with all of the ladies at the Lumber Inn.

She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Galva, where she taught Sunday school, was a member of Ladies Aid and on the Quilting Committee. When her sons were growing up, Arlene enjoyed being a Den Mother for Cub Scouts.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lloyd; brothers, Alfred, Jr. “Bud”, DeWayne and Earl Dean; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Vernette Messenbrink, Carol Schmidt, Charles Babcock, Howard and Ada Babcock, Don and Bonnie Pyle, Kenneth and Donna Whalen, LaVaughn Peterson, Wayne and Dorothy Booch, Louice Peterson and Shirley Babcock.

She is survived by her sons, Duane (Joy) of Galva, IA, Dennis (Nancy) of Peoria, AZ, Dean of Holstein, IA; grandchildren, Melody, Danielle and Nicholas; brothers, Don (Darlene) of Holstein, IA and Roger of Ida Grove, IA; and sister-in-law, Ruth Schmidt of Ida Grove, IA. Arlene is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, Russell and Shirley Pepper, Robert and Vera Jean Meyer, Truman “Bud” Peterson and Eugene Babcock; and many nieces and nephews.