Mabel Zubke

WAUBAY- Mabel Zubke, 96 of Waubay died on Friday, May 15, 2009 at Sanford Hospital in Webster. Her funeral will be at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waubay, Rev. Jeffrey Kalb officiating. Burial will be at Lakewood Cemetery, Waubay. Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service (fiksdalfuneral.com) in Webster on Tuesday 5-8 P.M. and prior to services on Wednesday. Mabel Minnie Hinkelman was born to Edward and Freida (Holzerland) Hinkelman, Sr. on Tuesday, April 22, 1913 in Spring Grove Township, Roberts County, South Dakota northwest of Summit. At a young age of three years her family moved to a farm south of Waubay which was homesteaded by her grandfather, Christoff Holzerland in Central Township, Day County. She attended rural school through the eighth grade in District 157. She was baptized in Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church on May 13, 1913 by Rev. Kern and was later confirmed by Rev. Schwarting on April 10, 1927. At the age of fourteen she started doing house work and house cleaning until, in 1938, she accepted a clerk job at the Red Owl Store in Waubay which was owned by John Davidson. On August 15, 1942 she married Reinhold Zubke at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waubay while he was on furlough. The couple spent two years in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he was stationed and she worked at the Court Cafe. Reinhold was then called to Italy and then was discharged in September 1945. The couple then made their home on a farm north of Waubay. Her days began at 4:30 A.M. and ended at sunset as she worked side by side with her husband until they retired in 1987. After his death in November 2000 she continued to live on the farm and always kept busy until one week before her death. She was a life long member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church where she was a member of the Ladies Aide and held offices in the Mary Circle throughout the years. She taught Sunday School for several years and took part in the children’s Christmas program. She loved to bake raised donuts, raise raspberries, knit afghans, quilting and braided rugs. The door was always open for family and friends. She deeply loved her Savior, her family and her home. Mabel passed away on Friday, May 15, 2009 at Webster, South Dakota at the age of 96 years and 23 days. Survivors include 1 son, Donald (Roberta) Zubke of Watertown, SD; 2 daughters, Reva (Marlyn) Schumacher of Ortonville, MN & Rita (Skip) Harding of Watertown, SD; 2 sisters-in-law, Eleanor Hinkelman of Milbank, SD & Emma Guderian of Bristol, SD; 13 grandchildren, Lauryn Schumacher, Lee (Cyndy) Schumacher, Ronald (Tamara) Schumacher, Ruth (Paul) Strong, Joel (Kacey) Schumacher, Anna (John) Nielsen, Janet (D.J.) York, Julia (Jon) Cordell, Vincent (Nicole) Zubke, Aric Zubke, Tamra (Chad) Zubke, Leland (Cassandra) Harding III & Tawnya (Jim) Jensen; twentyone great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Welcoming her to her heavenly home are her parents, husband, a grandson, Ryan Schumacher, 6 brothers, Herbert, Walter, Martin, George, Helmit and Edward & 2 sisters, Anna Schultz Eidsness & Olga Bartelt.