Mabel Isabell Atwood Moser was born in Fairmont, Nebraska on February 22, 1927 to Sidney and Dorothy Atwood. She moved with her family to Hayes Center, Nebraska where she started school. She moved back to Fairmont and graduated from high school in 1944.
Teaching was always her passion. She taught school for three years right out of high school. Her career was put on hold for several years when she married Francis McMahon Jr. and had seven children to raise. During those years she was a substitute teacher. As her children got older, she returned to school to finish her college education. She earned every credit hour the hard way--attending summer school, night classes, extension courses and keeping a home for seven busy children. She graduated proudly from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1970 with her degree in Education. Mabel taught hundreds of children in the Grafton and Exeter school systems until her retirement in 1991. She loved being a classroom teacher and thought every child was special.
On August 15, 1987, she married William Moser and was a resident of Friend, Nebraska. They loved to travel to visit family and tour various parts of their native state and the rest of the country, as well.
Mabel passed away on July 18, 2010 at the Nebraska Heart Institute in Lincoln, Nebraska. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends.
Mabel was a member of the United Methodist Church, National Education Association, and the Nebraska Retired School Personnel. She also was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary where she served in various capacities at Lt. Earl Forbes Post 21 in Fairmont, NE, county president of Fillmore County and was also a past District president.
She was a Past Worthy Matron of the Mt. Moriah Chapter of the Eastern Star.
Mabel was preceded in death by her parents, Sidney and Dorothy Atwood, a sister, Nellie Jean Martin, a brother, Sidney Atwood, Jr., and a grandson, Sean Francis Johnsen.
She is survived by her husband, William Moser of Friend, NE, children, Frances McMahon of Fairmont, NE, Coleen McMahon-Seitz and Jim of Greeley, CO, Maureen Hop-Hergenreder and Larry of Greeley, CO, Kelly Gerken and Mike of York, NE, Shannon Monson and Mal Elkins of Greeley, CO, Erin Hall of Superior, WY, Michael McMahon and David Sepulveda of San Diego, CA., Chris and Gene Borsheim of Wheaton, MN, Carmen Moser of Fergus Falls, MN, Chere and Ed Rikimoto of Wheaton, MN, Candice and Tony Hasbargen of Wheaton, MN, Clay and Angie of Pequot lakes, MN and by 30 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and a sister-in-law, Delores Atwood of York, NE.
Funeral services were conducted on Thursday, July 22, 2010 at the Fairmont Community Church with Rev. Paixao Baptista officiating. Casket bearers were Jim Seitz, Larry Hergenreder, Mike Gerken, Mal Elkins, David Sepulveda, and Chris Reed. Nancy Jo Galusha accompanied the congregation who sang “The Beautiful Garden Of Prayer” and “On The wings Of A Dove”. Internment was in the Fairmont Public Cemetery with Farmer & Son Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Memorials are directed to the American Legion Auxiliary or to the Dorchester United Methodist Church.
