Mabel Sires

Mabel Sires, 90, Mabel, Minn., formerly of Spring Grove, died Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at Green Lea Senior Living in Mabel.

Mabel Marie (Dougherty) Sires came into this world on May 28, 1930, a gift for all of us, but first to her parents Johnnie and Anna (Hawes) Dougherty. She took on the role of caregiver early in her youth, as she lost her mother at a young age and helped her dad greatly with her brothers and sisters as the second oldest daughter in the family. Mabel loved being a mom and grandma and spent many years taking care of others as a home health aide.

On August 17, 1950, Mabel married William Sires Sr. and together they raised four children: Bobby, Sherry, Linda, and Bill Jr., and she held in her lap many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. When her lap wasn’t occupied with a little one, you might have found Mabel hanging clothes on the line to dry, canning veggies, reading, or writing.

Some things the world should never forget about Mabel… in every birthday/graduation/any day card, you would find a quarter taped inside and a bible verse. Her grammar was impeccable. She smiled in such a way that said, “I want to laugh hard, but it might not be appropriate.” Her favorite color was green. She loved and served the Lord, and prayed for her family every day. Her strawberry jam and fresh bread were as good as it gets –  the very best. She was not afraid of hard work. She made us wash our hands like we were scrubbing in for surgery (including a fingernail check). She and grandpa would stand in the driveway as we were driving away and would wave to us until we were out of sight.

Mabel is survived by three children: Sherry (Dean) Carolan of Decorah, Iowa, Linda (Danny) Marsden of Mabel, Minn., and Bill Jr. (Holly) Sires of Stewartville, Minn.; 10 grandchildren: Jeff Carolan, Jeremy Carolan, Laura (Darrin) Ollendick, Amy Norby, Paula (Scott) Hicks, Jon (Tanya) Marsden, Taylor (Jen), Marsden, Danielle (Ryan) Newman, Preston Sires, and Mason Sires; many great-grandchildren: Cameron and Aspen Ollendick, Abbey and Brooke Norby, Carter Hicks, Mallory, Hailey, Anna, Kolton and Karly Marsden, Brody, Blake Lainey, and Mila Marsden, and Will Newman; and great-great-grandchildren: Bentzen Cline, Landon, Paisley and Taelyn Marsden, Adaley, Waylin, and Kambry Mietzner. She is also survived by a brother, Bernie Dougherty of Lansing, Iowa; a sister, Anna Souhrada of Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Greeting her for a long-awaited hug at Heaven’s gates… her husband Bill, her son Bobby (Robert John Sires), her granddaughter Caitlin Sires, great-granddaughter Riley Norby, and siblings Frances Dougherty, Ralph Dougherty, Florence Lembke, Vince Dougherty, and Marie Herald.

Grandma Mabel wrote to me in a card when I left for college… “I ‘spose it’s good when we miss people because it means we love them.” We will miss you, Grandma, and you are most certainly loved.

Private graveside service will be in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Spring Grove.  The Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel is assisting with arrangements.