Mabel Lavern Ennis, age 98 of North Platte, formerly of Minot, ND, daughter of Andrew Edward and Ella Elenora (Anderson) Nelson, was born in Kickapoo Township near Blaisdell, ND, on July 15, 1920. She passed away on Saturday, February 9, 2019 in North Platte, NE.
Mabel was part of the Shell Creek Community near Blaisdell until she was eight years old and her family moved to a farm north of Tagus, ND. She attended school in Tagus and graduated from Tagus High School in 1938.
In January 1939 she married Harold Ennis of Tagus. After their marriage they lived in the teacherage at the Clay Center School, rural Lansford, ND, where Harold was the principal and teacher. After Harold was drafted into the to US Navy, she and their daughter Janice lived in Minot. After Harold returned from WWII, they continued to make their home in Minot, where Harold worked for the Great Northern Railroad. Their daughter Nancy was born in 1951. Harold and Mabel celebrated 74 years of marriage before Harold’s death. Harold and Mabel lived in their house in northwest Minot for over 50 years, where they had a special bond with their wonderful neighbors.
After Harold’s retirement in 1978, they spent time at their trailer in Van Hook, ND and spent the winters at the Fiesta Trailer Park in Mesa, AZ, where Mabel enjoyed ceramics, Bible study group, and a circle of friends who met to make quilts for the needy. In Minot, she was a longtime member of Bethany Lutheran Church where she served in Sunday School, Ladies Circle, and BLCW for many years. During the Minot flood of 2011, Harold and Mabel were evacuated to Velva, ND where Harold passed away in September 2012. In November 2012 Mabel moved to North Platte, NE.
Mabel is survived by two daughters, Janice Barlow of Minot, ND, and Nancy (Karl) Christensen of Maxwell, NE; five grandchildren, Amy (Jeff) Bowman, Beth (Matt) Hardy, Colleen (Tyler) Sexson, Patrick (Kendra) Christensen, and Ruth (Dustin) Meyer; great grandchildren Cassie, Allie, DJ, Brandy, Hope, Camden, Kirby, Clyde, Millie, Waylon and a great granddaughter to be born in April; great great grandchildren Devin, Ryan, Penelope, and Jackson; and four step great grandchildren. She is also survived by a special niece Carol (Dan) Crockett of Spokane, WA; and many cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Harold; son-in-law Arden Barlow; step father Oscar Anderson; and three sisters, Ethel Csech, Bernice Grant and Arlene Nelson.
Memorials are suggested to the Bethany Lutheran Church, 215 3rd Avenue SE, Minot, ND 58701, and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswnson.com.
Mabel will be buried beside her husband Harold at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, NE at a later date. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.