Shirley D. (Hansen) Babcock (1935-2010)

BABCOCK, HANSEN, ADOLF, MOSS, FULLER, SCHUBERT, HURD, PIGOTT, NASLUND

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 7/27/2010 at 08:36:39

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Saturday, February 24, 2010.

Shirley D. Babcock, of Ames, was born Feb. 1, 1935, to Frank Hansen and Fern Adolf Hansen, in Cherokee, the fourth of six children. She passed away July 24 at home due to a neurological disease, causing her to be in a wheelchair since 2007. A celebration of Shirley’s life will be at 11 a.m., Monday, July 26, at North Grand Christian Chuch, 919 30th St., in Ames.

Shirley graduated high school in 1953, a part of the last class of Wilson High, in Cherokee and went on to attend Cincinnati Bible Seminary from 1953 until 1955. During college, she worked at Shillitos Department store and the Standard Publishing Company, both in Cincinnati, from 1953 to 1955. She continued working for NW Bell Telephone as an operator from 1955 until marriage.

Shirley married Eugene E. Babcock on March 4, 1956, in Cherokee. To this union four children were added. Gene and Shirley farmed in various areas, including Stanwood, Cushing, Holstein and Storm Lake. The family moved to Ames in 1969 where Gene was in construction work until he retired to care for Shirley.

Shirley had a sewing business in the home for many years and worked briefly for ISU student scheduling. She enjoyed sewing, crafts of all kinds, stitchery and her family. Her dream was to be an author, writer or reporter, but the responsibilities of being a wife and mother took precedence.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Eugene, of Ames; sons Tim (Sonja), of Ames, Jeremy (Karmyn), of Earlham; and daughter Lisa (Kent) Moss, of Crocker, Mo.; seven grandsons, Anthony (Annette) Babcock, of Sioux City, Tyler (Amy) Babcock, of Ankeny, Evan (Kyra), of Scranton, Dustin and Philip Moss, of Crocker, Mo., Owen (Stephanie) Fuller, of Ankeny, and Seth Fuller, of Newton; two granddaughters, Bryn Mae Babcock, of Earlham, and Briana Fuller, of Newton; 11 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Janet (Lyle) Schubert, of Lake City.

A daughter, Larinda Dawn Fuller, preceded Shirley in death in 1993 in Newton, as well as three sisters, Joyce Hurd, of California, Lovee Pigott, of California, and Lola Naslund, of Galva; and brother, Don, of California.

Memorials may be directed to Story County Dental Clinic.

Adams Funeral Home is assisting Shirley’s family with arrangements.