Mabel Kriens 1932 – 2024
Maybelle Lorraine Kriens, 92, of rural Backus, MN, went to be with Jesus on April 28, 2024, at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga, MN.
Maybelle was born to Martin and Grace Winkelhorst on March 22, 1932, in Lebanon, SD. She lived her childhood years in Lebanon SD, Edgerton MN, Red Lodge MT, and then rural Akeley, MN. After graduating from Akeley School, Maybelle worked at an insurance company in Fargo, ND. Maybelle met Dale in the fall of 1951 when she and her mom were out in the field with the car and got stuck in the mud. Dale came to their rescue and pulled them out. On the evening of Thanksgiving Day, they had their first date. Dale and Maybelle were married on June 7, 1952, at Akeley Methodist Church. They lived and farmed south of Akeley. Dale’s career took him throughout the Midwest working highway and airport construction. Maybelle was a proficient and fun mom in the raising of their six children when Dale was working away.
Maybelle was very involved in community – many years in the Akeley PTA, 4-H Leader, Sunday School Teacher (Akeley Methodist Church), Badoura Township Secretary, White Oak Cemetery Treasurer, and decades serving in the Deerfield Community Ladies Aid.
Maybelle had a great sense of humor – her laughing and giggles often turned into hiccups which is a trait she passed on to her children. Maybelle was talented in many areas – she was a gifted seamstress, even sewing Barbie clothes for her daughter and for selling. She painted birds for and worked at the Whittle Shop in Walker. As a team, Dale carved and Maybelle painted birds (emphasis on MN loon) and other wooden crafts, which they sold for many years at area craft fairs. Maybelle was a wonderful neighbor and friend – her front door was always open and coffee pot on. She spent countless hours in her lovely flower beds and was famous for her popcorn balls she passed out every Halloween. She enjoyed spending time with her many grandchildren (lots of Uno, Rummy and Wheel-of-Fortune). In retirement years, Maybelle and Dale enjoyed trips to Florida and bus tours to East Coast destinations. They also loved their many golf cart rides together on their backyard trails.
Maybelle is lovingly remembered by her five children: David (Roxanne) Kriens of Menahga; Denise (David) Chase of Marathon, FL; Bruce (Robin) Kriens of Backus; Dennis (Lisa) Kriens of Backus; Curtis (Kerry) of Ramsey; sister-in-law Loralee Kriens of Fridley; 14 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchilden,14 great-great grandchildren, 1 great-great-great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.
Maybelle was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dale, son Timothy, siblings: Lena Young and Paul Winkelhorst, parents-in-law Gus and Hattie Kriens, brothers and sisters-in-law Shirley and Ron Walstrom, Kathleen and Helmer Olson, Darrell and Helen Kriens, and Bernie Kriens.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Cease Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior at 1 p.m. A Private Graveside Burial Ceremony at White Oak Cemetery at Chamberlain will follow at 4 p.m..
Arrangements by Cease Family Funeral Home of Park Rapids. Friends may leave online condolences at ceasefuneralhome.com. The family has designated White Oak Cemetery for memorial gifts.6-12c