Dorene Babcock

Ellendale, ND-Memorial Service for Dorene Babcock, 85, of Sioux Falls and formerly of Ellendale will be 10:00 am Saturday, April 3, 2021 at Carlsen Funeral Home. Rev. Derek Baum will officiate.

Inurnment will be in Ellendale City Cemetery.

Dorene died March 30, 2021 at Good Samaritan Society, Sioux Falls Village.

Donna Dorene Widdifield was born August 8, 1935 to Gordon K. and Blanche Widdifield in Crosby, ND. Her Aunt Donna was living with the family at the time, so they used her middle name, Dorene as her daily name. From 1939 to 1949, her family lived in various areas of North Dakota. They moved to Jamestown in 1949, where she continued her education, graduating from Jamestown High School in 1953. Dorene furthered her education at Jamestown College, obtaining her Bachelor of Education in 1957. She then began her teaching career at Carrington, ND teaching vocal music. In 1959 she moved to Ellendale to teach vocal music, and later science as well.

Dorene was united in marriage to Ambert D. Babcock on June 5, 1960 at Jamestown. They made their home in Ellendale where they were both teachers. She retired in 1991. Ambert died March 25, 2000 and Dorene continued to make Ellendale her home until 2016 when she moved to Sioux Falls.

While growing up, Dorene was a proud Masonic Rainbow Girl. Her Grandpa was a Mason, and her Mom was in a Masonic ladies' group. She took formal vocal lessons and concert piano training, starting in grade school through college. She was a life-long member of the Methodist church, directing the choir, a Sunday School and Bible School substitute teacher, member of Church Circle and the United Methodist Women's Association. Dorene taught piano lessons out of her home for many years. She had been an active member in Homemakers Club and was a former 4-H Leader and Assistant Scout Leader.

After retiring from teaching, Dorene and Ambert were avid vendors at craft shows in the tri-state area. She tutored and administered GED testing. Dorene treasured her membership and the caring bonds with her PEO Sisters in their Ellendale Chapter of the Professional Educators Organization. When simply relaxing, she loved old movie musicals and was an avid reader of good mystery books. She enjoyed baking, sewing, crafting, and mostly spending time with or talking to her four grandchildren.

Grateful for having shared Dorene's life are her daughter, Dori B. (Perry) Van Watermeulen; son, David A. (Kristy) Babcock and four grandchildren, Jacquelynn, Peter and Amanda Van Watermeulen and Austin Babcock.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon K. and Blanche Widdifield, husband, Ambert D. Babcock, son, Donald A. Babcock and her only sibling, Roger Widdifield.

Carlsen Funeral Home of Ellendale has been entrusted with arrangements.

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