Beth E. Babbitt

Beth E. Babbitt, 88, of Mason City, IA, died Monday, September 21, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 26, 2015, at the First Christian Church, 318 N. Adams, with Rev. David H. Wagner Sr. officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Beth Babbitt memorial fund in care of the family. The family will disperse funds to the Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank and the Salvation Army.

Beth Elaine Clark was born December 25, 1926, in Missouri Valley, IA, the daughter of Leon and Flossie M. (Jones) Clark. She grew up in Council Bluffs and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1945. On September 8, 1946, Beth married Charles Babbitt at the Epworth Methodist Church in Council Bluffs. The couple moved to Mason City in 1971. Beth enjoyed being a homemaker. She also enjoyed cooking, gardening, art, volunteering at the food bank, and traveling – especially to Colorado. She was a member of the First Christian Church where she was active in Church Circle. Beth was a faithful Christian and lived her life loving others. She was also a member of The "Women of the Woods/Weeds (WOW)" group of friends that often met for coffee, conversation and creative projects. She also was part of an art group which would meet in East Park to paint and draw. When the family moved to Mason City they coincidentally purchased a house across the street from John and Gretchen Sherman, the owners of 'Babbitt and Sherman Electric Company". The Babbitt's had no previous acquaintance to the Sherman/Hugo family; The Globe Gazette printed an article saying "Babbitt finally joins Sherman". The Sherman's grandson Steve Hugo and his wife, Nancy eventually took up residence in the Sherman home and remain caring neighbors (among many wonderful neighbors). Beth was a very social, person who took pleasure in the company of her family, neighbors, friends and many others. She will be deeply missed.

Beth is survived by her husband of 69 years: Charles C. Babbitt of Mason City; her children: David Babbitt of Cresco, IA, Randy Babbitt of Loveland, CO, Scot Babbitt and wife Karen of Metairie, LA, Nancy Babbitt of Littleton,CO and Curt Babbitt and wife Wendy of Hotchkiss, CO; 9 grandchildren: Kris and husband Neil of Fort Collins, CO, Karren and husband Justin of Hershey, PA, Andrew of Mason City, Kyrie and husband Xenos of Cedar Falls, IA, McKenzie and husband Mitchell of Decorah, IA, Charles and wife Dana of New Orleans, LA, Martha of Washington, D.C., Madison of Mason City and Davey of Cresco; Beth also enjoyed her 6 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; 1 brother: Donald Clark and 1 sister: Marilyn Schoening.