Mabel Englund

Mabel Englund was a woman with a tremendous zest for life who was happiest when she was surrounded by her friends and family. She lived her life with the perfect balance between hard work and fun, even though life wasnt always easy. She carried herself with dignity and grace, always looking her best. Mabel was a beloved sister, wife, mother, and friend. The year 1916 was a difficult year in our nations history, as we were deeply involved in the war to end all wars, WWI, in which there were over 40 million casualties. William and Oda (Smith) Treas, of Benton, Missouri, were able to shift their gaze from the turmoil of the world around them, and focus on their own bright spot; Oda was due to give birth at any time. They were indeed blessed on June 9 of that year, with the birth their healthy baby daughter, Mabel. Mabels family lived and worked on their family farm in Benton, located in the southeastern corner of the state, where she and her five siblings helped their father in the fields. Mabel was quite a tomboy who loved riding horses, especially her own gray mare. Mabel was a good student and even one a spelling bee while attending a one room school in Missouri. Tragedy struck early in young Mabels life as her father died when she was only nine years old. As a result, Mabel and her family relocated to Muskegon, Michigan, located on the eastern shores of Lake Michigan, to be closer to her mothers brother. Mabel attended school at Muskegon High School where she excelled as a student. Her family found work doing maintenance and cleaning office buildings in Muskegon. After her graduation from high school, Mabel worked different jobs, including her work as an elevator operator, until she found employment at the Amazon Company, where she made mens athletic shirts. This period in American history was a time of financial hardship for families, including Mabels; Mabels income helped support her mother and siblings. As a young woman, Mabel enjoyed spending her free time at the beautiful beaches along Lake Michigan, and it would be this love for the sandy shores that would pave the way for a love story which would eventually span over 50 years. While she was at the beach at Pere Marquette one day, she met an intriguing young man named Milton Englund. He not only swept her of her blanket as he carried her over his shoulder Tarzan style, but he swept her off her feet as well; it was love at first sight. A romance ensued and the two were united in marriage on February 9, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, while Milton was home on leave from serving his country in the Army Air Corps during WWII. The newlyweds moved to Bangor, Maine, where Milton was stationed. During the Second World War, Bangor's Dow Airfield (later Dow Air Force Base) became a major embarkation point for U. S. Army Air Force planes flying to and returning from Europe. The happy couple was soon blessed with the birth of their only child, a son whom they named Lanny. After WWII, Milton was discharged from the army, which allowed their family to return to Muskegon, where they purchased a house on Grand Ave. The Englund family enjoyed traveling together and this was a means in which many fond memories were made. They often traveled to the upper peninsula of Michigan to visit the Porcupine Mountains and Tahquamenon Falls. When Lanny graduated from high school he went off to college at the University of Michigan. Mabel enjoyed making the trip to go visit him and take in the football games. Relationships were of the utmost importance to Mabel. She and Milton had a wonderful and fulfilling marriage and Mabel embraced her role as a mother as well. She was a devoted homemaker who poured herself into the loving ways she cared for her family. She cherished her sisters and loved spending time with them, always maintaining close relationships together. She and Milton were longtime members of Central United Methodist Church and she had very close relationships with two lifelong friends. Mabel was a fun-loving person who enjoyed being the life of the party. She and Milton celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a grand party at Raffertys restaurant, complete with a harpist from the West Shore Symphony. Mabel fondly remembered this party as one of the best days of her life! Unfortunately, not long after their anniversary celebration, Milton died. Although this was a difficult time for Mabel, she remained very independent and filled her life with other things. She continued to live in her home on Resort Ave., located in the Beachwood neighborhood, where she enjoyed taking long walks on the nearby beaches of Lake Michigan and drives down the channel. She frequently visited her son in Bloomfield Hills, where she even attended some of his law classes in Lansing! She particularly liked the horse show at the Bloomfield Hills Hunt Club and the annual Fox Hunt in Metamora. Mabel and Lanny also enjoyed traveling together through the years, continuing their tradition of making memories which will be forever cherished. Later in her life, Mabel still kept herself looking her best and celebrated her life with splendid parties for both her 80th and 90th birthdays. Eventually as the years began to take their toll on Mabel, she moved to Bloomfield Hills to live with her son, where she would spend her final days. Mabel Englund lived her life with the understanding that its the people in your life, not the things, which bring you the greatest joy. She colored the world with the vibrant layers of her fun-loving personality and brought great joy to all those who were placed in her life. Mabel will be greatly missed by all those she leaves behind. Mabel Englund died Monday, December 1, 2008. Mabels family includes her son Lanny "Lance" Englund of Bloomfield Hills; sister, Ada Pulsipher; nieces & nephews, Bob & Debra Parker, Lola Six, Pamela Six, Tames Six Jr., Dawn Thorntenson, Glennis Hanson, Larry Englund, Nancy Postema, John & Jill Kennedy, Art & Betty Hughey, Dolores Seabolt, Carlyle Dewey, Tom Dewey, Marian Dewey, Donald Dewey, Naomi Dewey; special lifelong friends, Lucille Dunning, Sadie VanGennup. She was preceded in death by her brother, Roy Braddy; sisters, Louise Treas, Ann Treas, Dorothy Kennedy. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 5, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Clock Life Story Funeral Homes Chapel - Muskegon, MI, with Dr. Randall Hansen officiating. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Please visit Mabels personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or make a memorial contribution to: Disabled American Vets or Central United Methodist Church World Hunger Fund.