Mabel L. Nitschke

SERVICE FOLDER --- SERVICE PHOTOS --- LINK TO MABEL'S FUNERAL Mabel L. Nitschke, 90, Ashley, ND died Sunday, May 18, 2025 at the Ashley Medical Center. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 AM, Friday, May 23, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church, Ashley, led by Minister Amanda Nitschke. Interment follows at the Church Cemetery. Organist will be Steve Glaesmann and usher will be Jim Heupel. Recorded vocals will be "Precious Lord, Take My Hand", "Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone", and "On Eagle's Wings". Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 PM on Thursday at Carlsen-Lien Chapel, Ashley. Mabel Larraine Nitschke, daughter of John and Anna (Fehling) Nitschke, was born on January 2, 1935 near Ashley. She grew up on the family farm where she helped until her marriage to Herbert L. Nitschke on October 19, 1952 at Peace Lutheran Church near Ashley. They lived on Herbert's family farm 20 miles NE of Ashley and purchased it in 1960. Mabel farmed alongside her husband until they retired in 1992. She enjoyed the milk cows and raising beef cattle, chickens, ducks, and geese. She also loved taking care of her large garden, harvesting its bountiful produce, and canning or sharing it with others. She could also be found in the fields during haying season, helping with the planting, and harvesting of small grain crops. During the long winter nights, she enjoyed all types of needlework. She occupied many winter evenings crocheting. She enjoyed spending time with her grandsons and had activities with wood and screws ready for them outside as well as anything else that interested them. They even became good at sewing on buttons and other tasks that would help them later in life. Her special passion was to teach them how to cook German foods. She enjoyed playing cards and board games and taking long walks with them. She remained on the farm until her husband's death on April 11, 2003. At that time, she moved to Ashley. Once in Ashley, her gardening slowly ended and her time was spent quilting with the ladies at Zion Lutheran Church and at the Ashley Senior Center. She also enjoyed evening get-togethers with friends and neighbors playing cards and visiting. She loved to embroider towels; there was always a set in the living room in various stages of completion. Later, she enjoyed word search puzzles. She moved to the Ashley Nursing Home last month and died peacefully at the age of 90 years, four months, and 17 days. Grateful for having shared her life are her daughter, Delilah (Timothy) Heil of Lemmon, SD; grandsons Tyler Heil of West Fargo, ND and Brandon (Amanda) Heil of Bismarck, ND; one brother, Harry Nitschke of Ashley; and two sisters Viola (Gerald) Goettle of Ashley and Betty Lou Schiley of Bristol, SD. In addition to Herbert, Mabel was preceded in death by her father, John, on May 21, 1959; her mother, Anna, on December 23, 2002; infant brothers, Aaron and Harold; her brother Melvin; and her sister Ida Gehring. Honorary bearer will be Mabel's Godson, Johnny Nitschke of Vancouver, WA. Casketbearers will be Terry Goettle, James Goettle, and Kristie Schnabel of Ashley; Paul Goettle of Bismarck; and Mabel's grandsons, Brandon and Tyler. Mabel's funeral will be livestreamed at the Lien Family Funeral Care Facebook page. Services are in care of Carlsen-Lien Chapel of Ashley.