Mabel Margaret (Schaberg) Olsen, 87

Mabel Margaret (Schaberg) Olsen, 87, passed away June 19, 2007. She was born Oct. 29, 1919, in Ryder, N.D., the youngest of six children and the last surviving member.

In her younger years, she lived in Plaza, N.D., Brockton, Poplar, Wolf Point, and Fort Peck. As a child during World War I, Mabel's family was afflicted by the flu epidemic but survived. Each family member was a gifted musician.

Mabel rode a horse to school. During the Great Depression, in 1939, Mabel married Albert Foss Olsen in Wheeler. They lived in Illinois, Indiana, California and Montana.

In the early '40s they moved to California to work in the shipyards for World War II. In 1944, they moved to China Lake and Ridgecrest, Calif., on the Mojave desert, due to health reasons, where they lived for 12 years.

In 1956, they moved between Kalispell and Columbia Falls, where Mabel resided until January of this year. Mabel recently resided near her daughter, in Hillside Health Care Center in Missoula, where she moved following a fall.

Mabel was preceded in death by one sister, Buelah King, and four brothers, Noel, Lloyd, Paris, and Chester Schaberg.

She is survived by son, Gary and SueAnne Olsen, and their children, Kenny and Amber Olsen, and Becky and Dude Aylor, and grandchildren, Michael, Aeriel, Kenison, Chloe, Sebastian and Josie; son, Robert and Linda Olsen, and grandchildren, Rich and Brent; daughter, Janice Schaberg, with grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Casey Shamp, Jennifer Shamp, Elisa (Bryan) Haubrich, Ann, (Clint and Rachael) Taxter, and Lee Shamp.

Thanks to all Mabel's friends for their love, prayers, and support.

'In her own words we find great courage and faith gained from a very full life. 'Yes, there's been many heart aches, a bushel of tears shed. But God has been good. He's been my Source, and I learned to praise my way through every battle. The joy of the Lord has been my strength. There have been many good times, too. I have enjoyed and appreciated my three children and the grandchildren they have given me.''

There will be a viewing at 9 a.m., and a celebration of Mabel's life at 10 a.m. Friday, June 22, at the Columbia Falls Assembly of God Church, officiated by Rev. Darrel Newby. Interment will be at Glacier Memorial Gardens, Kalispell.

Funeral arrangements provided by Columbia Mortuary of Columbia Falls.