Loretta Jean Meyer (Babcock)

Loretta Jean Meyer (Babcock), 84, of Renton, Washington, passed away peacefully with family by her side on June 28, 2022, in Bellevue, Washington, due to complications from pneumonia. Born December 30,1937 in Fairbury, Nebraska, she was the daughter of Rose and Stanley Babcock. Her family will dearly miss her loving presence but rejoices knowing she is in peace.Survivors include her husband of 58 years, John Meyer, two daughters Julie Long and husband Tim, Marian von Fuchs and husband Erik, and five grandchildren: Sonia, Martin and Alex von Fuchs, Audrey and Annalise Rose Long, sister Betty Bea Underhill, 2 nieces and one nephew, and many close friends and relatives.Loretta experienced an idyllic childhood on the family’s farm, surrounded by love, and graduated from Fairbury High School in 1955. She enjoyed winning entries in the local county fair, proudly including a freckle contest. Farming was always in her blood, and she continued organic gardening and canning into her last year.Loretta was an accomplished artist, working for Hallmark as a copy artist. She loved painting and drawing, including greeting cards and murals.As a young adult she moved with her family to Washington state, where she met John at a Seattle Oktoberfest dance in 1963. Their first date was the next day, and they married in November 28,1964, in love through it all.Loretta was a shorthand whiz, serving her well in many secretarial roles, most notably at Boeing where her skills were in high demand of executives. She later coordinated the arduous banking for the family construction business, and co-managed the family rental properties, including interior design. In between she operated Loretta’s Typing Service.Loretta was a woman of strong Christian faith and an active member and volunteer at East Renton Baptist Church, and later at Renton Highlands Community Church. She hosted neighborhood VBS camps, comforted numerous children in church nurseries, and gracefully set an example for everyone she encountered. If she knew you, she prayed for you.Where Loretta’s light shined most brightly was in her personal relationships. She was the first to notice what others needed, selflessly supported those she loved, and cherished learning more about others during a Good Visit. She was the best mother anyone could have asked for, filling her home with warmth, kindness and wisdom.Loretta joyfully embraced her husband’s German culture by learning the language, visiting Germany several times, and graciously hosting frequent international guests who enjoyed her planned outings around the Pacific Northwest. She was an active member of the Seattle German Club, where members stood in line for her Zwetschgenkuchen or pea soup. She and John loved dancing through many years long into the night at their parties. Loretta also enjoyed contributing to a German newspaper, the Continental Reporter.She appreciated both the fine and simple things in life, sustaining a girlish enthusiasm with the ability to elevate a goldfinch or moonrise to heavenly status. She loved the natural world through hiking, bicycling, beachcombing, sailing, gardening, photography and animals. Mount Rainier was a Favorite Place.She sustained an adventurous spirit, always game to try new things from riding a camel, hosting large parties, or a KOMO TV makeover where she wowed the crowd. She excelled in trip planning for family and friends, nearby in San Juan Island cruises with the Catalina 25 sailing fleet, to African safaris, cruises to Alaska, Caribbean, and Panama Canal, and biking and hiking around many European countries. Hawaii, the Oregon Coast and of course her beloved Nebraska were her favorite states to visit.Loretta is preceded in death by her parents Stanley and Rose Babcock, her brother Edward Babcock, and many other friends. She survived a battle with cancer, a rollover in a convertible, and a near miss with a tornado.Funeral services will be held on Wednesday July 27th at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th St, Kent, WA 98042. Arrival time is 11:00 AM, with a service beginning promptly at 11:30 AM. A Celebration of Life Luncheon/Reception will immediately follow at 12:15, at nearby Farm Fare & Floral, 17233 SE 228th St, Kent, WA 98042. Family and friends are welcome to attend either or both to honor Loretta and the beautiful life she lived. p

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