A funeral mass for Mabel Walter, 77, of Dickinson will be at 10 a. m. on June 11, 2016 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Dickinson with Father Shannon Lucht celebrating. Burial will take place in the St. Wenceslaus Cemetery in Dickinson, North Dakota. Visitation for Mabel with be Friday, June 10 from 1 to 8 p. m. at Stevenson Funeral Home with a rosary & vigil service being held at 7 p. m. Mabel passed away, Monday, June 6, 2016 at CHI St. Alexius Health – Dickinson. Mabel Marguerite Laches was born May 23, 1939 in Mott, North Dakota to Peter and Mary (Reinert) Laches and was raised on a farm north of Mott. Her father taught her to read at age 5 to keep the country school open. Mabel attended the St. Joseph School of Practical Nursing and graduated in August 1958 as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Mabel taught at the nursing school after she graduated. Mabel married Donald G. Walter, son of Valentine and Beatrice (Kuntz) Walter, on May 29, 1961 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, north of Regent, ND. From January to June of 1962, they lived in Wahpeton, ND while Donald attended Wahpeton Science for plumbing and Mabel worked at St. Francis Hospital in Breckenridge as an LPN. After Don’s graduation, they moved to Hettinger where Don worked for Moos Plumbing and Mabel worked at the Hettinger Hospital. In December of 1964, Don and Mabel moved to Dickinson where Don worked for Muth Plumbing for several years, then worked for MDU for the rest of his career. Mabel again taught at the St. Joseph School of Practical Nursing until it closed in 1972. She also worked at the Dickinson Nursing Center and the St. Joseph’s Hospital in the mental health unit for eight years. Mabel worked nights so she could be at home for her family during the day. She retired in 1998 with 31 years of service to St. Joseph’s Hospital. Mabel and Donald were charter members of Queen of Peace Catholic Church and Mabel was an officer in the Homemaker’s Club and the ND Licensed Practical Nursing Association. She was also a member of the St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary and Catholic Daughters. Mabel crocheted beautiful intricate doilies growing up, and then took up quilting and crocheting afghans. Donald and Mabel enjoyed fishing and camping with their children on weekends while their family was young, mostly to Lake Sakakawea. They traveled with their family and camper to the West Coast as well as National and State Parks. Their favorite destination was the Black Hills of South Dakota. Donald and Mabel traveled with their camper after retirement and traveled often to visit their children and grandchildren. Mabel and Don had beautiful flower gardens and a large vegetable garden that Don tended once Mabel became ill. Mabel enjoyed reading and was interested in history, geography, family history and keeping up with all types of current events and the news. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, relatives, and many friends. Mabel had a strong faith and a gift of hospitality, to make others feel special and loved by listening, affirming, and giving encouragement. Mabel is survived by her husband, Donald and four children: Valerie (Allan) Thoennes of Apple Valley, MN; Don (Linnet) Walter of Bismarck, ND; David (Janice) Walter of Minot, ND; and Vicki (Robert) Binstock of Sioux Falls, SD; thirteen grandchildren, Amber & Jacob Thoennes; Thomas (fiancé Audra Basal), Christian, Philip, Sarah, & Andrew Walter; Noah, Isaiah, Micah, & Leah Walter; and Matthew & Jonathan Binstock; three sisters, MaryBeth (Bill) Powell, Irene (Mike) Messer, Jeannette (Jim) Sullivan; one brother, Ed Laches (Gloria Krein); brothers-in-law, Clifford (Eleanor) Walter and Roger (Terry) Walter; 22 nieces and nephews; step-sister, Renae Paasch; step-brother, Terry Wolfe; and all her many friends. Mabel was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Mary Laches; step-mother, Rose Wolfe Laches; in-laws Valentine and Beatrice Walter; brother-in-law, Simon Walter; sisters-in-law, Catherine Walter and Ann Walter; niece, Karen Miller Harp; and step-brother, Dave Paasch.
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Burial Date: June 11, 2016
Funeral Mass: Saturday: Queen of Peace Catholic Churc, Dickinson, ND