Loretta Babcock

Our dear mother, Loretta Babcock, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 22, 2026. She was born October 16, 1930 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Clarence and Nellie Hoekstra; her sister, Peggy Schmidt; and her brother, Dicky Hoekstra.

Loretta was extremely close to her family, including her siblings, daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and sons-in-law. She leaves behind four daughters: Suzi Perry (Tom), Jodi Habisch (Darrell), Lisa Reeck, and Erin White (Dean). She is also survived by ten grandchildren: Ned Perry, Sophie Schwartz (Alex), Norah Harding (Kodi), James Perry (Sadie), Emily Kern (Michael), Megan Habisch, Chelsea Vaughn (Ben), Calley Newbury (Jordan), and Anna and Ray White. Additionally, she leaves 17 great-grandchildren, including her namesake, Loretta, with three more expected soon from the Perry family.

Loretta was 95 years old.

She married Ray Babcock at 21. After living in Bristol, Virginia, for a few years, they returned to Forest Lake and built their "house on the hill" on the 8th green of the Forest Hills Golf Course. Although they divorced after 17 years, it remained a wonderful place to grow up.

She later found a wonderful partner in Otto, who remained by her side until his passing in 2010. Together, they owned a flooring business where Loretta managed the office. They enjoyed traveling, bowling, golfing, and gambling, but spent most of their free time with family.

As a young girl, Loretta was a self-described tomboy who loved hanging out with her brother, Dicky, and cousin, Merten. She often recalled that she "called the shots" and they followed her lead. Her lifelong love for animals began with a horse in her youth and continued with many beloved dogs and cats.

Later in life, she shared many cherished memories with her sister Peggy, her friend Shirley Peterson, and her beloved sister-in-law, Kate Finn. We suspect they greeted her at the door with a Brandy water press.

Ma was a lovable, red-haired, freckled beauty. Even at 95, she retained her signature red hair and faded freckles. She was kind, comical, stylish, and made the best pie anyone has ever tasted; the scent of her pies cooling outside often called her children home.

She had a great sense of humor and a generous spirit, often buying gifts for her daughters from QVC just because she loved to give. She was an easy person to be with—someone you just wanted to hang out with, laugh with, and tease. While she wasn't the best at keeping secrets, she was the perfect person to tell if you wanted to get the word out about something.

After her divorce, Loretta and her four daughters formed an unbreakable bond that lasted the rest of her life. Her daughters were by her side when she passed, following a recent stroke. She was a wonderful person and a loving, devoted mother who will be deeply missed.