Edna Babcock

Edna Wessels Babcock, age 94 of Geneva NE formerly of York, died Friday, January 28, 2005 at Geneva. Edna Anna Fannie was born to John Reinhardt and Lillie KC (Gruber) Wessels on the Wellman farm near Utica Nebraska on October 11 , 1910. Edna was baptized into the Zion Lutheran Church by Rev. A.A. Sherman and confirmed in 1926 by Rev Batz. In 1915 the Wessels family moved to the Neufield farm near Bradshaw, Nebraska and in 1918 the family moved onto the Gray farm. Edna and her sister's Hilda and Pearl attended school at District 27 until 1918, and then attended District 82. On October 19,1921, Edna's father lost both hands in a circle saw accident and had to give up farming. In March of 1922 he had a farm sale and moved the family to 909 Mayhew Ave. in York. Edna attended Willard School through the 7th grade and York High School through 8th grade. Edna was a longtime member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church at York. Edna was married to Roy Elden Hoover February 20,1938. They farmed for others until 1955, when they bought their own farm (Graham farm) west of York. In 1962 Elden's health began to fail and in 1969 they sold the farm and moved to 2004 Lincoln Ave in York. Elden died March 26, 1970. Edna married Sidney L. Babcock July 7,1971, and they continued to make their home at 2004 Lincoln Ave. in York. Sidney passed away September 11,1996. Edna remained at this residence until May of 2001, when she moved to Heritage Crossings in Geneva to be near her stepdaughter. At an early age, Edna became interested in Genealogy and began keeping records of her family and other families in York County. This interest continued up to her death and many of these records where donated to the York County Historical Society in 2001. She also was a very good seamstress and loved crocheting. Her many family members would only need to mention the color afghan they would like and she would be busy crocheting one for them immediately. She was an active member of the York Garden Club for many years. She loved to take pictures and recorded many of the events in her life through her picture taking. Edna is survived by her niece Mary Jo Miller of York and her nephew Larry (Arlene) Blair of York and her step-children; Donna (Charles) Brabec of Geneva, Vincent Babcock of Phoenix, AZ, Sidney H. Babcock of Omaha and William S. Babcock of New Orleans, LA; many great and great-great nieces and nephews and many step grand and great-grand children Preceding her in death were her parents, 2 husbands, 2 sisters, one infant brother,

Funeral services were held at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in York. Burial was in the Greenwood Cemetery at York. Memorials may be directed to the church or Heritage Crossings at Geneva.