Gary R. Babler

Gary Ralph Babler, 64, of Bellechester, died from complications due to cancer on Wednesday, March 9, 2011, at Fairview University Medical Center in Minneapolis. He was born May 9, 1946 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin to Ralph and Grace (Kragness) Babler. His family moved to Red Wing in 1947 and he attended school in Red Wing and in Owatonna. On June 21, 1968 he married Charlotte Mallan in Red Wing. For eight years he was employed at Scott and Chad Hinsch's Dairy Farm in Goodhue. Gary had many side jobs throughout the years from recycling to mowing lawn and selling Watkins--he was always keeping busy. In 2005 he and Charlotte moved to Bellechester. Gary wanted to be known as a fun-loving guy and a jokester. He was a loving husband of 42 years to his wife, Charlotte and he loved all of his family very much, especially his grandchildren. One of Gary's last gifts he was able to give was being a corneal donor. Gary was a member of the Salvation Army Church of Rochester and the Gold Wing Motorcycle Association.

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte of Bellechester; 2 children, Kevin (Shannon) Trollen of Red Wing and Carol (Victor) Osmek of Red Wing; 6 grandchildren, Wayne, Tarnan and Trissa McMullen and Carlin, Mycah and Tynazha Trollen; 2 sisters, Kathleen "Kathy" Hall of Bellechester and Dorothy Jamison of Cannon Falls; 1 brother, Melvin Smith of Bellechester and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews, all which Gary enjoyed spending time with. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Paul Babler and 2 brothers-in-law, Robert Hall and Leonard Jamison.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Monday at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel with Major Jim Frye officiating. Spring Burial will be at Belvidere Union Cemetery. Pallbearers will be John Crosby, Robert "BJ" Hall, Jr., Dave Carpenter, Byron Novek, Andres Paularena and Aryan McDeid. Honorary pallbearers will be Jonathan Jamison and Gary's grandchildren.