Ellen M. "Babe" Proefrock

Published in the Racine Journal Times on 11/10/2009

RACINE - Ellen M. 'Babe' Proefrock, 87, passed away on Sunday, November 8, 2009, at Mercy Hospital, in Janesville.

She was born November 8, 1922 in Racine, the daughter of Edward and Helen (nee: Patzke) Ahrndt. She married William 'Casey' Proefrock on April 12, 1947 in Racine. He passed away on February 7, 2006.

Babe and her husband had lived in Racine, Mt. Vernon, Bloomington, Jacksonville, and Pittsfield, Ill., before moving to Brodhead in 1973. Babe graduated from Wm. Horlick High School, Racine in 1941. She had taught sewing at Armstrong Jr. High School in Jacksonville, Ill..

She played professional baseball with the All American Girls Professional Baseball League. She was the starting second baseman for the South Bend Blue Sox in 1944.

Babe and her husband also had been partners in the 'Just for Him and Her' clothing stores in Brodhead and Evansville. She was an active member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Brodhead, and loved to quilt, fish with her husband Casey, and make pies for friends and family.

She is survived by two sons, Kurt, wife Corinna Frank, Proefrock, Edgerton, Kipp (Phyllis) Proefrock, Roodhouse, Ill.; former daughter- in-law and dear friend, Nancy Menzel, Brodhead; a sister-in-law, Elenore Ahrndt, Racine; granddaughter, Cristen Newingham; and two great-granddaughters, Jacy and Maggie.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a grandson, Dustin; five sisters, and a brother.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m., Thursday, November 12, 2009, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Brodhead, with Pastor Kenneth Schaub officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m., Thursday until time of services at the church.

Burial will be in West Lawn Memorial Park Chapel, Racine, on Friday, November 13, 2009 at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Brodhead.

The D.L. Newcomber Funeral Home, Brodhead, WI, is assisting the family.