Hildegard L. Babendrager, 88, passed away on Friday morning, August 15, 2014. She died peacefully of natural causes in the continual care of her family and the Center for Hospice Care.
      
       Hildegard was born on February 3, 1926 in Germany to the late Erich and Frieda (Lange) Dumke. On December 24, 1946 in Germany, she married Heinz Babendrager. He passed away July 17, 1994.
      
       Mrs. Babendrager was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church. She was a house wife who loved to knit, needlepoint, cook, bake and garden ? especially African Violets.
      
       Hildegard is survived by three sons: Wolfgang (Gloria) Babendrager of Tippecanoe, Eberhard (Dawn) Babendrager of Plymouth and Peter (Linda) Babendrager of Plymouth, three daughters: Gisela (Steve) Newell of Plymouth, Barbara (Joe) Napierkowski of Culver and Gloria (Joe) Summerlot of Plymouth and one brother Gerhard Dumke of Germany. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren.
      
       She was preceded in death by her parents, brother and sister-in-law Gunter and Gretel Dumke of Germany and one uncle, Paul Lange.
      
       Family and friends will gather to celebrate her life on Tuesday, August 19th from noon until 2 p.m. in the Calvary Lutheran Church, 1314 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. Services will begin at 2 p.m. in the church with Rev. Kyle Right
      
       Burial will follow in the Grovertown Cemetery.
      
       Memorial gifts may be given to the Church.