Bernard Leon Babcock

After 87 years and 56 days of gracing this earth with his presence, Bernard Leon Babcock, of Kalispell, departed peacefully July 9, 2009, from Kalispell Regional Medical Center "to grace a better place for eternity." As in life, Bernard, in his final moments, was a big draw; it was standing room only at his bedside. Supporting Della Mae, his bride of nearly 68 years, were their three children and their spouses, nine grandchildren and their spouses and a gaggle of great-grandkids. Bernard's surviving sons are Howard and Dede of Monroe, Wash., Bruce and Trisha of Kalispell, and Lynn and Wayne Jacobsmeyer of Columbia Falls.

Bernard was born in Harlowtown to Howard and Gladys Babcock. He eventually became a brother to Patricia Cantrell, now from Swan Lake, and Delores Cox, now from Dillon. He graduated from Twin Bridges High School, served in the U.S. Army and lived in Montana until 1956, where he worked many years for the Northern Pacific Railroad as a telegrapher, until launching into a lifelong career of mink farming in 1947.

The family relocated to Snohomish, Wash., in 1956, where Bernard continued his mink raising operation in both the Snohomish and Granite Falls areas.

True to his personal drive, engineering instincts and entrepreneurial inclinations, he 'survived" about six months of retirement in 1985 at which time he "went to college" at Edmonds Community College, took two courses in irrigation design and construction and then launched The Rainmaker - a landscape irrigation firm which he operated until 1998.

In 2002, Bernard finally retired and he and Della returned to their Montana roots, moving to Kalispell where they have since resided.

Bernard will be remembered as a true gentleman, a committed husband and family man never to be forgotten.

A family graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 13, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls, followed by a memorial celebration picnic at Marantette Park, also in Columbia Falls.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the American Cancer Society.

This paid obituary is being run again at the request of the family.