Melvin “Babe” Bestgen, 84, St. Cloud

March 7, 1931 - November 5, 2015

Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Melvin “Babe” Bestgen, 84, of St. Cloud will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at St. Mary’s Cathedral Upper Church in St. Cloud. Babe passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, November 5, 2015. Burial with military honors will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday and after 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud. The St. Cloud VFW Granite Post #428 will pray at 6:30 p.m. and parish prayers will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home.

Babe was born on March 7, 1931 in St. Cloud to John and Catherine (Schulte) Bestgen. He graduated from Cathedral High School and attended St. Cloud Business College. Babe served in the US Army in Korea. He married Kathleen Dietman on November 7, 1955 at St. Mary’s Cathedral and together they raised four children. Babe was employed for US West Telephone Company as an Installer Repairman and Coin Technician. He retired in 1992 after 40 years of employment. After retiring, Babe volunteered at the St. Cloud Hospital installing Lifelines. He was a member of St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Cloud VFW #428, St. Cloud Eagles Aerie #622 and the Telephone Pioneers.

Babe is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Katie of St. Cloud; children, Thomas, Mike (Vicki) and Janet (Chris) Reinholz all of St. Cloud, Jim (Jen) of Rochester; 10 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; two step grandchildren; five step great grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Joan Bestgen of Waite Park.
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Christine Bestgen; brother, Ted Bestgen; stepbrother, Donald Schoumaker; and stepsisters, Ramona Schoumaker and Jeanette Nequette.

Memorials are preferred to St. Mary’s Cathedral or the Poor Clares Monastery.