Mabel Bessie Emde was born April 4, 1927, on a farm near Correll to Fred John and Lina Irene (Lowry) Davis. She was baptized in April of 1936 at her parent's home and was confirmed April 24, 1941, at the Methodist Church in Holloway. As a young girl she was involved in 4-H and Glee Club. She graduated from Holloway High School. On April 9, 1951, she was married to Fred Herman Emde at Benson. Mabel worked on the farm with Fred and also worked at the Appleton Nursing Home for 38 years, retiring in 2003. Mabel was a very active person. She did a lot of gardening, canning, baking, sewing quilts, swimming, boating, and fishing. She liked line dancing, aerobics, skating, taking walks around Lake Harriet, playing cards, entertaining, and attending theatre and musical events. Mabel enjoyed attending the Minnesota State Fair, and thrift and consignment shopping. She loved to travel and was able to visit Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Germany, the Caribbean, and all over the United States. She particularly enjoyed spending time with her kitty, "Kai". Mabel was active with the church ladies aid and a devoted volunteer at ARC Value Village Thrift Store, and the Richfield Community Center since 2003. Mabel was a devoted Christian, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She was incredibly generous, honest, kind, caring, compassionate, and humble. Mabel died on Thursday, August 8th, in Edina. She had attained 86 years, 4 months, and 4 days of age. She is survived by two daughters: Sharon Emde of Minneapolis, and Linda (Arnie) Kieffer of Roseburg, OR; two grandchildren: Justin (Jaida) Kieffer of Hillsboro, OR and Christina Kieffer of Lake Oswego, OR; two great-grandchildren, Lovelynn and Liam Kieffer of Hillsboro, OR; sisters-in-law: Kathy Davis of Baudette and Elaine Davis of Alexandria; nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Fred, on November 15, 2003; two sisters: Irene Davis and Ruth Wogan; and three brothers: Willard, Kenneth, and Wally Davis.
