Mabel Mathisen

VisitationSunday, May 11, 20085:00 " 8:00 PMOhde Funeral Home Kimballton, Iowa Funeral ServiceMonday, May 12, 2008, 10:30 AMElk Horn Lutheran ChurchElk Horn, Iowa

Rev. Keith Andrew Menter

Pastor Steven Frock

Grandmas Garden? Recording

 Jesus Loves Me? Matt Andersen, Vocalist

The Lords Prayer? Rev. Menter, Vocalist

Silent Night?     In The Garden?

Congregation

Nancy Watson, Accompanist

Randy Jespersen     Keith Jespersen     Mike Mathisen     Chad Mathisen     Dan Crees     Jeff Crees

Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery

Jacksonville, Iowa

   Mabel Marie, daughter of Hans and Meta Christine (Petersen) Rasmussen, was born March 30, 1912 in Shelby County, Iowa.  She died May 8, 2008 at Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 96 years, 1 month and 8 days.

    Mabel was raised in Taylor and Shelby Counties, Iowa and graduated from Avoca High School.  She then went into nurses training in Council Bluffs, Iowa and became a registered nurse.  She was married to Henry Mathisen on February 3, 1934 at Omaha, Nebraska. Following the marriage they farmed in Shelby and Audubon counties, then purchased a farm near Elk Horn. In 1984 they retired and moved to Elk Horn, then in November 2001 she moved to the Exira Care Center. Mabel owned and operated Hilcrest Greenhouse on the farm from 1969 to 1995, retiring at age 87.

    She was a member of the Elk Horn Lutheran Church, volunteered for congregate meals in Elk Horn, and started and led a 4-H Club in the area. Mabel loved fishing, dancing, playing cards, working crossword puzzles, reading, making various crafts, painting, and working in her vegetable and flower garden.  Her greatest enjoyment came from spending time with family and friends.

    Mabel was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Henry in 1993, granddaughter Julie Crees, a sister Frances Cunningham, and a brother Raymond Rasmussen, and sons-in-law Russell Jespersen and Ken Crees.

    Mabel is survived by her daughters: Charlene Jespersen of Exira, Iowa and Joan Crees-Lauritsen and husband Don of Hamlin, Iowa; a son Richard Mathisen and wife Beverly of Maple Valley, Washington;  grandchildren: Randy Jespersen, Keith Jespersen, Scott Jespersen, Paula Ratzlaff, Monte Jespersen, Mitch Jespersen, Cindy Robillard, Cathy Crees, Daniel Crees, Lauri Bates, Jeffrey Crees, Michael Mathisen, Kim Andersen, and Chad Mathisen; step-grandchildren: Scott Lauritsen, Dean Lauritsen, Diane Law, Steven Lauritsen and Daren Lauritsen; 34 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren; a sister Gladys Kelley of Concordia, Kansas; other relatives and friends.