Mabel Viola Riley, 96, Minot and formerly of the Sawyer area, died Monday, August 12, 2013 in a Minot Nursing Home.

Mabel was born November 17, 1916 the daughter of Wilhelm and Wilhelmine (Redman) Klimpel on her parents homestead in Willis Township of Ward County. She was raised on the family farm and educated at Center School and graduated from Granville High School in 1934. During her younger years, she was employed as a waitress at Empress Caf in Drake.

Mabel was united in marriage to Arthur Riley June 4, 1935 at Minot. They made their home on various farms in Willis Township until 1941, when they purchased the Klimpel farmstead and raised small grains and dairy cattle. Mabel's father lived with them for 19 years. They retired in 1978. Art died September 28, 1987. Mabel continued to live on the farm until 1994, when she moved into Minot.

Mabel was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, the LWML and Church prayer chain group.

She served as the clerk for Willis Township for 12 years, as clerk for the Willis Township Election Board for 40 years, was a former member of St Peter's Lutheran Church, Sawyer, with the first meeting of the Church's LWML held in her home. She prepared the history for the Willis Township section in the "People of the Prairie" book. She was also a member of the Freedom Farmers Union and Senior Citizens of Minot.

Mabel enjoyed embroidery, quilting, gardening, fishing and going to horseraces in Canada.

Her loving family includes, children, Larry (Ivy) Riley, Moses Lake, WA, Archie (Patty) Riley, Moses Lake, WA and Rochelle (Joel) Howard, Sawyer; 7 grandchildren and 13 great- grandchildren; several great-great grandchildren; along with a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mabel was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers, Walter, Awalt, Clarence, Arthur, Lloyd and Willy; sisters, Elsie, Esther, Olga and Ida.

Funeral service: Thursday, August 15, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation : Wednesday from 2:00-7:00 pm in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.