Mabel P. Van Blaricom, age 96, of Menomonie died Monday, Sept. 15, 2008, at Dunn County Health Care Center in Menomonie.
Mabel Pauline Johnson was born May 21, 1912, to Ole Petter and Anna Maria (Engebretson) Johnson in the town of New Haven, Dunn County. She was baptized on Aug. 25, 1912, at West Akers Lutheran Church and confirmed on May 25, 1947, at Christ Lutheran Church in Menomonie. As a young girl, she attended Hilson Grade School and Clear Lake High School in Clear Lake, Wis.
In 1929, Mabel worked for Lakeside Cafe in Menomonie and also enjoyed being a homemaker. She married Wylie Van Blaricom on June 25, 1930, in Minneapolis. Together they had three children.
In her spare time, she enjoyed embroidery, crocheting, and making quilts and bedspreads. She had a passion for gardening. She was proud of her Norwegian heritage and had a strong faith. Most especially, she adored her beautiful grandchildren.
Mabel is survived by her daughter, Shirley Gunderson, of Roseville, Minn.; two sons, Wesley Van Blaricom of Chetek and Wallace Van Blaricom of Fairbanks, Alaska; eight grandchildren, Charles, Delvin and Gregory Van Blaricom, Colette Olson, Denise Johnson, Kenneth Gunderson, Lori LaVanier, and Diane _______; nine great-grandchildren; a brother, Melvin Johnson, of Woodbury, Minn., and other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wylie Van Blaricom, in 1994; her daughter, Judy Van Blaricom; brothers, Clarence Tronrud, Arthur Johnson, Oscar Johnson and Norman Johnson; and her sisters, Alice Clark and Palma Lillevold.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, at Christ Lutheran Church in Menomonie, with the Rev. Geoff Scott officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in West Akers Cemetery in the town of New Haven, Dunn County. Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie is handling the arrangements.
The family suggests memorials to Christ Lutheran Church in Menomonie.