James "Jim" Max Babel, 77, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Monday, September 2, 2024, at Arbor Care Center in Madison, Nebraska.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, September 9 at 10:30 AM, at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Columbus, with Fr. Patrick Harrison celebrating the Mass.  Visitation will be on Sunday from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM with a 6:00 PM vigil service at Gass Haney Funeral Home.  Visitation will continue on Monday from 9:30 AM until service time at the church.  Interment with military honors will be on Monday at 1:30 PM, at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Humphrey, Nebraska.

Jim was born on August 21, 1947 to Elmer and Leona (Gross) Babel in Columbus, Nebraska. He attended Platte Center High School and later transferred to Humphrey Public High School where he graduated in 1965. He served in the United States Army from 1966 until his honorable discharge in 1968.

Jim married Vida Jean Heesacker on February 5, 1977 and made their home in Columbus. Together they had two children, Derek and Katrina. Granddaughter Brittany joined the family in 1992. Jim was employed at D & L and later worked at Cargill in Schuyler until he retired in 2013.

Jim had a great will to travel. He made sure his family made it coast to coast over the years. His favorite hobbies included watching the Nebraska Cornhuskers, fishing with lifelong friends and family, camping at many lakes, stargazing and always tracking when the next full moon would happen. He was an avid bowler and made many lifelong friends through the sport. He was a simple man who loved nature. Jim especially had a love of birds, favoring bald eagles and cardinals.

Survivors are wife, Vida Jean;
Son, Derek and daughter-in-law Beth Babel;
Daughter, Katrina Babel (Tracy Willard);
Granddaughter, Brittany Bader all of Columbus.
Brother, Robert Babel of Omaha, NE
Sister-in-law, Barb Babel of Schuyler, NE
Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law:
Virgil (Maggie) Heesacker of Columbus
Viann Diedrich of Colorado Springs, CO
Vincent (Kathy) Heesacker of Fort Morgan, CO
Violet (David) Halley of Belton, TX
Viator Heesacker of Humphrey, NE
Victoria Welsh of Columbus
Many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends

Preceded in death by
Parents, Elmer and Leona Babel
Brothers, Dean Babel and Clark Babel
Sister-in-law, Sandy Babel
Father-in-law and Mother-in-law:
Victor and Vivian Heesacker
Brothers-in-law and sister-in-law:
Virginia (Gerald) Frauendorfer
Victor R. Heesacker
John Diedrich
Dennis Welsh
Vira Heesacker