Mabel Ojanen Albin

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(Jan. 12, 1937 - Oct. 11, 2011)

Mabel Ojanen Albin died Tuesday, Oct. 11, in Billings. She was 74.

Born in Wing, N.D., on Jan. 12, 1937, she was the youngest child of Walter and Fannie Ojanen. She graduated from Bismarck High School in 1955. She was still in touch with her close friends from those years. Mabel returned to school at Northwest College. She was very proud of achieving a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Wyoming in 1995, 40 years after graduating from high school.

She married Ross Albin in 1963 and they settled in Powell in 1967. Mabel worked as a secretary at Northwest College for 20 years. She was an active member of Hope Lutheran Church, a Brownie leader, a visitor with the home bound and member of the Council for Humanities book discussions. Mabel was on the executive board of Friends of the Library for at least 12 years. Her biggest love was finding her next favorite author. She also loved her visits with her grand girls, and enjoyed the travel that took her to see them and to explore new places along the way. Going to museums, bakeries and book stores were always on her itinerary.

Even before the onset of Devic’s Disease, Mabel exemplified the quality of “sisu” (perseverance in her parents’ native Finnish language). When her eyesight and mobility were compromised, she put her “sisu” to work everyday learning new techniques and mastering equipment to keep herself active.

Mabel was preceded in death by her son, Joe; her parents; her sisters, Cele and Millie; and her brother, Helge.

She is survived by her husband; children, Marcy (Jeff) Horne and Woody (Debbie) Albin; granddaughters, Victoria and Kayla Albin and Devin and Ezri Horne; sisters, Sadie Dockter and Aune Kershaw; sister-in-law, Eva Thrailkill; brother-in-law, Dick Grothe; and many nieces and nephews whose lives she loved to follow.

The celebration of Mabel’s life was held Monday, Oct. 17, at Hope Lutheran Church in Powell.

Memorials in her name may be made to the Powell Branch of the Park County Library Foundation/Powell, and sent to 217 E. Third St. Powell, WY 82435.

Thompson Funeral Home has assisted the family with arrangements and online condolences may be sent to the family at www.thompsonfuneral.net.

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