Alice Mae Babbitt

Alice Mae Babbitt, one of ten children of Eliza Jane (Patterson) and John Johnson Primrose, was born on May 1, 1915 on a farm near Primrose, Nebraska. She grew up near Primrose and graduated from Primrose High School in 1932. Following school, Mae worked in a grocery store in Primrose for a few years and a year at a hospital in Winner, South Dakota.

Mae and Orville Rayburn Babbitt were married on March 30, 1938 in St. Paul, Nebraska. Soon after their marriage, the couple moved to a farm near Malvern, Iowa. They were blessed with a son Mark Lane. At retirement, they moved to a house in Malvern.

Mae was a busy farm wife and mother. She was a member of the Malvern United Methodist Church, Love Thy Neighbor, and the Garden Club. She enjoyed cooking, tending to her garden, and reading. Mae especially enjoyed handwork, sewing and quilting. Mae was a soft spoken and gentle person who never had a bad day in her life. She always came to the aid of others and never felt she needed any help.

Mae and Orville were married 45 years when Orville passed away on November 7, 1983. Mae continued to live in her home for many years until her health declined. She moved to the Linnwood Estates in Glenwood, Iowa for a time and then to the Stanton Care Center in Stanton, Iowa.

Mae passed away at the Care Center on October 19, 2012 at the age of 97 years, 5 months, and 18 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Orville; sisters, Myrtle Channer and Alta Primrose; and brothers, William Primrose, George Primrose, John Primrose, Arthur Primrose, Frank Primrose, Dale Primrose, and Donald Primrose and wife Virginia, whom she spent much time with.

Mae is survived by her son Mark Babbitt and wife Robin of Malvern; granddaughter Amanda Jenson and husband Allen of Omaha, NE; grandson Brandon Babbitt and wife Melanie of Newton, KS; great grandchildren, Briggs, Saylor, Hallie and Gehrig; other relatives; and many friends.

A memorial fund has been established.

Interment in the Malvern Cemetery.

Loess Hills Funeral Home of Malvern in charge of arrangements.