Merlyn L. “Pete” Babcock, age 71, of Wells, died on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2004 at his home in Wells from complications of cancer.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 26, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wells The Rev. Paul Baker will officiate. Visitation will be held at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells from 4 to 8 p.m. today, and one hour prior to services on Tuesday at the church. Interment will be at Rosehill Cemetery in Wells.

Pete was born May 21, 1933, in rural Wells, the son of George and Alice (Hanson) Babcock. He graduated from Wells Public School in 1951. He served in the U.S. Army. On Nov. 9, 1957. he was united in marriage to Ellen Mae Paulson in rural Hanska, Minn. She preceded him in death in 1984. On Dec. 1, 1985, he was united in marriage to Marcelline N. Nowak in Wells. Pete drove school bus and worked for Carlson Motor Electric for many years. He had worked for DelMonte/Stokely for many years, retiring in 1995. He worked part-time at Security State Bank of Wells, Burger King in Mankato, and Cenex in Wells. His civic memberships include the Wells Jaycees, Lions Club, and Wells American Legion. He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, the church council, Choir, and taught Bethel/Bible study. Pete was also a member of the Library Foundation Board and the Wells Rifle Club.

He was a past member of the Wells Ambulance Squad. Pete was an avid birdwatcher and enjoyed spending time at Walnut Lake and having coffee with friends. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and enjoyed people. He touched many lives.

He is survived by his wife, Marcy Babcock of Wells; two daughters: Natalie (Steve) Brandt of Hudson, S.D., and Nancy (Scott) Koeneman of Monticello, Ill.; Marcy’s children: Amy Nowak of Mankato, Jolene (Steve) Schilling of Shakopee, Tammy (Dan) Brockhaus of Mankato, Brenda (Dale) Glazier of Albert Lea, Susan (Dean) Shellen of Wells, Rick (Michelene) Nowak of Tucson, Ariz., and Steve (Jan) Nowak of Wells; 21 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Alfred (Mildred) Paulson of Edina; sister-in-law, Jan (Owen) Knutson of Esko, Minn.; brother-in-law, Ralph (Cathy) Paulson of St. Paul; sisters-on-law: Evelyn Iverson of Albert Lea, Shirley (Harold) Lura of Bricelyn, Darlene Pyzick of Wells, and Joanne Dahl of Babbitt, Minn.; brothers-in-law: LeRoy (Jackie) Akemann of Waco, Texas, and Alvin (Mary) Akemann of Babbitt; and many nieces, nephews and cousins

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Ellen; one daughter in infancy; and one granddaughter, Whitney.