Mabel Sylvia Nibbe

The oldest of 9 siblings, Mabel Sylvia Kopischke was born July 16, 1920, in Pleasant Mound Township, Blue Earth County, to Fred and Sena (Stoltzman) Kopischke. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church, Willow Creek. She attended school at the Cooling School in Ceresco Twp. and St. John's Parochial School, Willow Creek. On February 6, 1940, Mabel was united in marriage to William "Bill? Nibbe. While raising their 3 children, they spent their lives farming and working for area farmers as a married couple. She was a multi-talented homemaker who loved fishing, dancing, quilting and crocheting, gardening, flowers, making soap, rugs and feather pillows and playing harmonica. She was very proud of her state and national hand cornpicking trophies. She always lived by her motto, "Make do, make do.? After Bill's stroke, they moved from Amboy to Truman. Bill died in 1996. For 17 years, Mabel was a dedicated volunteer at Truman Senior Living before she became a resident there on May 12, 2011. Mabel's German heritage, faith and family were important parts of her life. She was a lifetime member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Willow Creek, former member of Dorcas, member of Lutheran Retirement Home Auxiliary and member of Lutheran Women's Missionary League. Mabel enjoyed her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren dearly. There were many hours spent down on the farm learning life's lessons and skills. In later years, she shared her love, time, stories and interests with her great-children. Surrounded by family, Mabel died on Sunday, August 21, at Truman Senior Living, after a 6-month battle with multiple myeloma. Mabel is survived by two sons, Mervin (Karen) Nibbe, Vernon Center; John (Pam) Nibbe, Lake Benton; daughter Donna (Al) Mendenhall, Freeborn, MN; Merv and Karen's children and grandchildren: Dennis (Stacy) and Morgan; Leslie (Brent) Nibbe-Johnson and Emily; Jason (and friend Nichole Schendel); John and Pam's children and grandchildren: Laura (Ken) Krog and Nathan, Nicholas, Hannah, Ryan and Rachael; Chris (Nycole) and Sam, Braden and Sydney; Luke (Amy) and Matthew, Wade and Joseph; Donna and Al's children and granddaughter: Mike; Dave (Corrie); and Dan (Brooke) and Addison. Also surviving is brother Gordon (Dorothy) Kopischke, Vernon Center; sister Verona (Delphin) Urban, Lake Crystal; sister Norma (Jerry) Kelley, Coon Rapids; four sisters-in-law: Helen Kopischke, Madison Lake; Olivia Kopischke, Lewisville; LuVerna Kopischke, Huntley; Donna Kopischke, Vernon Center; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband; four brothers: Clarence, Harold, Elmer and Earl; sister Alta Bergemann; grandson James Nibbe; infant great-granddaughter Payton Jo Nibbe.