Mabel Rose (Swanson) STURGEON

STURGEON, SWANSON, JONES, HANSEN, JOHANSON, VAN GERPEN, CALLAHAN, LEMMON, MAGALONG

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 11/30/2007 at 23:28:34

November 29, 2007
Fort Dodge Messenger

CLARION — Mabel Sturgeon, 88, of Clarion, passed away Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at Westview Care Center in Britt. Funeral service for Mabel Sturgeon will be held Friday, November 30, 2007 at 10:30 at the United Church of Rowan with Pastor Nancy Hofmeister officiating. Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery in Dows. Visitation will be held today, November 29, 2007 from 4:00 until 7:00 at Ewing Dugger Funeral Home 602 North Main in Clarion, and continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Mabel Rose Swanson Sturgeon was born September 25, 1919, in Wright County, Iowa, northwest of Dows, the daughter of George and Edith (Jones) Swanson. She attended Blaine No. 2 Country School through the 8th grade and Rowan Consolidated High School, graduating in 1936. Mabel married Eugene Sturgeon on January 1, 1941. Gene and Mabel started farming that spring 14 miles northeast of Mason City. The following year, they moved back to the Galt area, where they farmed until 1980, when they moved to Dows. After Gene’s passing May 13, 1993, Mabel moved to the Meadows in Clarion. Mabel was active in the United Methodist Church in Rowan, serving many years as an officer. She also served as an officer on the District Methodist Women Board in Mason City. Mabel was a member of the Rowan Review Club, Jolly Mothers, Vernon Friendly, and Liberty Clubs of Dows. Mabel and Gene enjoyed many travels. For twenty years, they traveled to Red Lake, Canada, to fish. Visiting the Holy Land in January of 1980 was the highlight of their travels. Taking a cruise on the Sea of Galilee, they both felt was a wonderful experience.

Those left to cherish Mabel’s memory are three daughters: Marilyn (Gary) Hansen of Fletcher, North Carolina, Gloria (Dennis) Johanson, Britt, Iowa, Sandra (Larry) Van Gerpen, Emerado, North Dakota; one son, Ron (Sandy) Sturgeon, Rowan, Iowa. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Michelle Callahan, Greg Hansen, Grant Johanson, Gail Lemmon, Janelle Magalong, Eric Sturgeon, Shannon Sturgeon and sixteen great-grandchildren. Surviving Mabel is a brother, Raymond (Betty) Swanson of Clarion, and one sister-in-law, Mary Louise Swanson of Eagle Grove. Preceding Mabel in death were her husband of 52 years, her parents, one infant brother, one brother, Clifford Swanson, one daughter Donna Sturgeon (11) in 1953, two grandsons, Chris Sturgeon (3) in 1979, and Brian Van Gerpen (17) 1992.