Elva Florence Babcock was born in a farmhouse in Dunning, Nebraska. She grew up with 7 siblings. She is survived by her son, Wes Brammer; daughter Donna Cropp; brother, Walt Babcock from Greeley, Co, Josephine Murphy from Anselmo, Nebraska, Phyllis Olson from Broken Bow, Nebraska, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She has 3 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. She so loved spending time with them and loved all of them. Most of all, she is her daughter’s best friend and confidant. Elva was all of these things-but more. She was a world traveler, artist of the year, recognized as an accomplished quilt creator, writer of children’s stories, painter, drawer, knitter, crocheter, and a friend to many.
Elva had spent many winters in AZ at Sun City Resort doing what she loved: creating quilts, sewing, ceramics, pottery, and painting. One of her long-time friends, Arzeta said, “What a neat lady she was.”
It did not matter where Elva was, she made friends everywhere she went. She made a friend at Physical Therapy, that would visit her almost daily, because she just loved her conversations about the things that Elva had done.
She graduated from Mason City High School, where she was a Cheerleader and a Volleyball Captain. She had started working for a telephone company after school. She was a very fast and accurate typist. She supported her two children, Wes and Donna, by working at GTE where she was promoted from telephone operator to Switch Repair Person/Telephone Equipment Maintenance person. She excelled at her ability to figure out how things worked, and she could figure large sums in her head. When she retired, GTE had to hire 4 people for the same job that mom did by herself.
Mom had travelled the world before she retired. Among some of the places that she had visited: China twice Scotland, England Germany New Zealand twice
Elva had gone on a lot of trips with her son Wes and a few trips with Kathleen G.
Elva also enjoyed playing cards, gardening and especially getting visitors. Elva loved writing children’s stories. One of these stories was called, “Clever Girl, Fast Boy.”
Elva had a kind heart to those in need. Once, she let a stranger stay about a month, so that his extended family could visit him while he was dying of cancer, because his hospital was nearby. The family had told her that everyone in town said “no”, Elva said “YES you can!” Elva has extended her home for several family members that had nowhere else to go. Elva had also let her friend’s family move in for several months. Elva had helped a cancer patient friend out by giving rides back and forth after cancer treatment, that lasted a while. She had knitted numerous caps and baby gowns for the hospital and was involved making quilts for charity.
Special Memories
Elva spent her summers with her grandkids doing crafts. Dana and Dawn used to make button dolls and work on sewing projects. Once Dana used Elva’s expensive serger without being trained by her! James also did some painting with Elva. He also camped out on her back yard for Boy Scouts and had also identified plants in her garden. Also, James worked on a project for Boy Scouts, a scrapbook with Elva. It was beyond awesome.
Elva talents extended to her granddaughters, Dana and Dawn. Dana continues on grandma’s legacy of sewing and creating, all because grandma spent the time to teach Dana to sew long ago.
Dawn has Elva special talents of painting. Here is Dawn’s version of her precious painting moments with grandma:
“My grandmother loved to paint anything and everything she could. She spent countless hours painting with me and teaching me different techniques to use with the paints. Since that time, my children and her great grandchildren, Dakota and Alexis could get their fingers wet with paint, they were painting everything from themselves, paintings, ceramics and more. Grandma was right there with them getting painted herself! We will love and cherish these memories forever!"
Elva kept in touch with Ruby Sears, her cousin over the years. No matter how long it has been since they had last spoken last, Ruby said it felt like it was just yesterday that they had spoken last.
Special Thanks
Larry had treated Elva like a queen because she was his second mom, thank you Larry.
Wesley’s wife’s family (Brigid) Sent some nice flowers and had a lot of nice comments about Elva. Thank you, Brigid.
When you think of Elva, just remember….
I fought a good fight
I finished my course
I kept the faith
Mom, thank you for all that you have done for us, you will always be in our hearts and mind. Thanks for the memories. We will always miss you.
With Love,
Family and Friends.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at 10:30 am at Govier Brothers Chapel in Broken Bow, NE. Burial will be in the Broken Bow Cemetery. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.com.