Mabel Olness, 96, Brookings, SD

Mabel Olness

Mabel L. Olness, 96, of Brookings, S.D., died Monday, April 7, 2008, at the United Retirement Center in Brookings.
She was born April 5, 1912, in Carlisle, the daughter of Albert and Olga (Sethre) Hexum, and grew up on a farm and attended elementary school in Carlisle.
She graduated from Park Region Luther College Academy in Fergus Falls and Elementary Teachers Training at Moorhead State Teachers College. From 1932 until 1934, she taught school in Carlisle.
On July 11, 1934, she married Sterling N. Olness in Carlisle. Sterling and Mabel lived in Westby, Wis., for six years and in Rothsay for 11 years, where Sterling was employed in various banks.
In 1951, they moved to Brookings, S.D.
After their retirement, they spent the winter months in Mesa, Ariz., at the Mondak Mobile Home Resort.
Sterling died Sept. 29, 1993, in DeSmet, S.D.
She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Brookings, the hospital auxiliary, the Roethian Club, Sons of Norway 508, American Pencil Collectors Society, and the Senior Citizens.
She enjoyed reading, traveling, playing cards and especially spending time with family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one sister, Eunice Glesne; and one great-grandchild, Wren.
Mabel is survived by one son, Rev. Roger (Helen) Olness of Benson; two daughters Marlene (Michael) Dixon of Spokane, Wash., and Elaine (David) Trump of Grants Pass, Ore.; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two sisters Alice (Jorolf) Ronnevk of Carlisle and Mildred (Gerald) Tysver of Fergus Falls; two brothers, Elmer (Lena) Hexum of Alexandria and Al (Ellen) Hexum of Fergus Falls.
Funeral services were conducted Thursday at First Lutheran Church in Brookings, S.D., with the Rev. Scott Miller officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.