Harry A. Babcock Jr.

Harry Alfred Babcock, Jr., known to many as Bill, was born at the home of his Aunt Hilda and Uncle John Vesper in Long Pine, NE on December 28, 1933, to parents Harry Babcock, Sr. and Margaret (Johnson) Babcock. It was several days before his parents named him, so the doctor nicknamed him Bill and the nickname stuck.

Bill was joined by his brother, Harley, and sister, Lorene (Reenie) during the next few years. They ranched about 25 miles south of Long Pine. Bill and his siblings attended school at District #76, Paramount, about two miles southeast of their place, often riding horses to school. Bill’s mother and his own children also attended this school.

As Bill was growing up, many get-togethers were had with the numerous cousins in the area. Bill attended high school in Long Pine, boarding with his Grandma Johnson. He graduated in 1951.

Bill was drafted into the Army in 1954 and served with the 531st AAA Battalion until 1956. His basic training was at Fort Bliss, near El Paso, TX. The family heard many stories of escapades he and his buddies were involved in, both there and where he ended up being stationed, at Ellsworth Air Force Base, near Rapid City, SD.

Bill and Jo Lanz, daughter of Fred and Emma Lanz of Bassett, NE became engaged at the Pineview Drive-In Theater near Long Pine in May of 1959 and eloped in Hot Springs, SD a couple of days later, on May 18, 1959. Harley and Mary Babcock were their attendants.

Bill and Jo purchased their ranch south of Long Pine from Wilma Jean Mengers and raised their three children, Deb, Lori, and Bill there. Bill and Jo moved to a small acreage west of Bassett, NE in 1991. Bill served as a Rock County Commissioner during the 1990s. Bill enjoyed attending farm auctions, playing cards, and coffee time with his friends in Long Pine. Later, he enjoyed playing cards at the Rock County Hospital Long Term Care in Bassett.

Bill passed away at the Long Term Care on February 23, 2025.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife; parents and parents-in-law; brother, Harley; brothers-in-law, Wally Woodhead and Loren Mercier; sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Knoetzel and Alice Allen and their husbands, Courtney Knoetzel and Bill Allen.

Bill is survived by daughters, Deb (Tom) Frank of Bassett, and Lori (Frank) Runyon of Onamia, MN; son, Bill (Teresa) Babcock of Long Pine; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; sister, Reenie Mercier of Grant, NE, and sister-in-law, Mary Babcock of Spokane Valley, WA, along with numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

Graveside Memorial Services were held at the Grandview Cemetery in Long Pine on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, with military rites conducted by Bassett American Legion Post #123. Pastor Joel Wentworth officiated at the event. The Cemetery Song was “Go Rest High On That Mountain” by Vince Gill. Memorials were suggested to the St. Jude’s Memorial Foundation or the donor’s choice in Bill’s name. Hoch Funeral Home of Bassett was in charge of arrangements and condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com.