Jessie Mae Babcock

ST. CHARLESWith a heart that beat to serve others, Jessie Babcock became a vital part of the community she called home throughout her entire life. She was kindhearted and gracious, yet at the same time she wasn't afraid to speak up when it came to matters she felt passionately about. It was easy to see that Jessie cherished her roles as a wife and mother, but she just may have argued that nothing was better than welcoming additional branches on her family tree. A woman of faith, she used her time and talents within her church family, and it was easy to see that Jessie's life was deeply rooted in faith. Although the way was not always easy for her, she faced whatever came her way with both strength and courage that were laced with the deep love she had for her family. Jessie leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that will remain forever near and dear to the hearts of her many friends and loved ones. The colorful decade of the Roaring Twenties brought us some of the most exciting days we have seen as a nation. Radios, washing machines and refrigerators, and more affordable cars mass produced on assembly lines were signs of the time while the lights of Broadway never shined brighter. It was just as this decade was drawing to a close that Jessie Mae made her arrival on March 31, 1928. Adopted and raised by her grandmother's sister and husband, Myra and Henry Lewis, she grew up on a farm South of Lewiston. It was clear that Myra was amazing at teaching Jessie a variety of things since when she started first grade she was promoted to the second grade right off the bat. Myra also taught her to play the piano when Jessie was only five, developing within her a love for the piano that would remain with her for the rest of her life.Not to be forgotten during Jessie's years in school was her introduction to the young man with whom she would share the best years of her life. His name was Clifford Babcock, and he transferred from St. Charles during his junior year. Jessie and Clifford started out as friends, but as they got to know each other better while riding the school bus true love blossomed. He spent some time in the service, and once his military duties were fulfilled they became husband and wife on June 13, 1948. Together Jessie and Cliff welcomed five children including Roger, Charles, Gary, Ronald, and Sheryl into their hearts and home. From the moment she became a mother Jessie fully embraced the task, and her devotion to her family was unmatched. Throughout her life Jessie enjoyed sharing her love for music with others. For several years she served as a pianist and organist at the Lewiston Church of the Brethren, Lewiston Presbyterian Church, and Winona Episcopal. Just the weddings and funerals alone kept Jessie very busy! She also became a proficient accompanist for many singers, and she sang in several quartets, too, including both barbershop and gospel groups. Additionally, Jessie loved to share her musical talents as a volunteer at the senior citizen centers in Lewiston and St. Charles. For years she taught piano lessons out of her home, and when her boys were living at home they were always excited to see which girls were her students! In addition to serving in her church family, Jessie was also an active part of her community. For years she and her husband were active in the American Legion where Jessie served as Unit 90 president and secretary. She also went on to become president of the District 1 American Legion Auxiliary. When she moved to St. Charles in her later years, Jessie served as advisor and vice president of the local unit and secretary of the senior citizen center. With a desire to provide her own family with emergency medical care, Jessie joined the Lewiston Volunteer Ambulance as an EMT. She ended up doing this for 14 years altogether. With her natural leadership and organizational skills, organizing various gatherings became a hobby such as the times she organized the Sweet Adeline show as well as the 40 year celebration for Lewiston Church of the Brethren. During her younger years Jessie was a den mother for Cub Scouts. Although she could come across as bossy at times, she was always very passionate in everything she did and cared very deeply for the people and projects she was involved in. As someone with an analytical mind who was also good with numbers, Jessie worked in variety of industries over the years. She spent some time working as a secretary at Gremelsbach Livestock, at the Mayo Clinic, and also as a secretary at Warner & Swasey. Jessie also worked for Conway Truck, as a waitress and cook at the Lewis Café and Cly-Mar Bowl, and because the Babcocks enjoyed bowling she also served as league and association secretary and treasurer there. In addition, she was the secretary and treasurer for the Lewiston Chamber of Commerce, owned the business Honeycomb/SOS, and helped establish the Fremont Church restoration project. Always a bustle of activity, Jessie was a woman of many interests. She loved playing cards with her husband, Cliff, and taught her grandchildren how to play as well. Jessie enjoyed canning, flowers, gardening, butterflies, gathering information on family genealogy, and attending Twins baseball games. Over the years she was thrilled to be able to reconnect with her six siblings as they were all split up when Jessie was young. With unending love for others, Jessie Babcock was a blessing to all who were within her reach. She accomplished so many things of which to be proud, yet nothing was more precious to her than the moments she shared with her family that grew to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jessie's timeless legacy will be proudly carried on by those who follow her. Jessie is survived by her 4 children; Roger (Judi), Gary( Sue), Ronald (Susie), and Sheryl (Rick) Warnken; grandchildren, David Babcock, Kiel Warnken, Aaron Babcock, Joette Engstrom, Jenny Swenson, Corey Babcock, Trisha Radtke, and Karena DiNicola; 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Neil Hinkley of Winona; sisters, Faith Hinkley of Austin, and Etta Hoy of Florence KY; and brother-in-law, Gale Hill of Wabasha.She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clifford; son, Charles; brother, Robert Hinkley of Phoenix, AZ; sisters, Helen Bruss of Garland Texas, Yvonne Hill of Wabasha, Anna (Babe) Riddle of Phoenix, AZ. Services for Jessie will be held 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 2, 2015 at Hoff Funeral Home in St. Charles with the Reverend Deb Bebout officiating. Jessie's grandchildren will be her casket bearers. Visitation will take place from 4-8 p.m., Thursday, January 1, 2015 and one hour prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home. Jessie will be laid to rest at the Fremont Scottish Cemetery.The family prefers memorials to the Fremont Church restoration project or the Fremont Scottish Cemetery.
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