Bernard D. Babe

Bernard Dwight Babe entered eternal rest early in the morning of December 7, 2024. He was born on January 5, 1934, to Charles and Edna (Smith) Babe in Moorhead, IA weighing only four pounds. He beat the odds surviving a surgery at just three weeks and went on to live 90 years, 11 months and two days.

He attended country schools in the Pisgah area through 8th grade. He then went to Pisgah High School, graduating in 1952. In 1956, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and completed his tour in 1958. He came back to Pisgah where he farmed and raised Purebred Poland China hogs with his father.

His enjoyment of dancing led him to meet the love of his life at Sokol Hall in Omaha, NE in June of 1963. He married Irene Starman on May 23, 1964, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Omaha.

They lived on the family farm in Pisgah until 1968 when they moved to their dream farm in Denison, IA. There they raised their six children. In 1991, he sold the farm and moved to Des Moines. He found he liked working in banquet serving. He continued to do this in Des Moines, Kansas City and Denver until the age of 74. He moved to Atlantic, IA in 2011 and then back to Des Moines in 2018.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene, his parents, Charlie and Edna, sister and brother-in-law, Patsy and Jerry Fricke, his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Lawrence and Loretta Starman, Louise Starman, Margaret and Ulrich Rosman, Marie Starman, Ray and Pat Starman, Hermie Starman, and Rita and Bob Fisher.

He is survived by his children, Anita of Des Moines, IA, Coleen of Atlantic, IA, Jerome (Andrea) of Chicago, IL, Mary (Jack) of Centennial, CO, Jean (Mike) of Norwalk, IA and Laurie (Dave) of Anita, IA; his grandchildren, Lucy, Addison, Jori (Seth), Ruby, Jackson, Charlie and Lola; great-granddaughter, Robin: his sister-in-law Eleanor Starman Von Seggren; many extended family and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024, with visitation from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., all at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison. Interment with military honors will be held in the St. Rose of Lima Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family.