Mabel Ellen Lister

Mabel Ellen Lister was born July 26, 1921, at Ottawa, Kansas. She was the daughter of Harry R. and Grace Dee (Hume) Finch. A lifelong resident, Mabel made her home in Franklin County, Kansas, until her death Tuesday, October 29, 2002, at the age of eighty-one years. She graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1939 and attended Ottawa University, where she obtained her teaching certification. Mabel was a teacher at the LeLoup Elementary School. For many years, she was a bookkeeper for their family business, Lister Hardware and Plumbing, and from the mid 1970's to the mid 1980's, she was office manager of Pence's Consolidated Grocery, both of Ottawa. She was a member of Grace Episcopal Church, the Episcopal Church Vestry, Daughters of the American Revolution, Trustee for Church Memorial Fund, Treasurer of Episcopal Church Women, and former member and president of Hawthorne Elementary P.T.A. She was a pioneer of the block mother organization in Ottawa, and volunteer for Ransom Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Hope House, and Grace Episcopal Thrift Shop, all of Ottawa. Mrs. Lister was very dedicated to her church and enjoyed attending the various activities of the church. She also enjoyed sewing and gardening. Her greatest enjoyment, however, came from her family and friends and spending time with them. On July 18, 1941, Mabel was united in marriage with Willard N. Lister, Sr., at Ottawa. He preceded her in death December 9, 1994. She is also preceded in death by her parents and brother, Eldon Finch. She is survived by two sons, Richard L. Lister and his wife, LaVita, of Galveston, Texas, Bill N. Lister, Jr. and his wife, Darlene, of Williamsburg; two daughters, Dee Ellen Kruzel and her husband, John, of Ottawa, Jane M. Taul and her husband, Johnnie, of Williamsburg; two sisters, Joan Northway and her husband, Sammy, of Ottawa, Doris Beall and her husband, Bob, of Shawnee; fourteen grandchildren; and, sixteen great-grandchildren. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 1, 2002, Grace Episcopal Church in Ottawa . OFFICIANT: Rev. Denis B. Ford. IN STATE: Mrs. Lister will lie in state after 9:00 a.m. Thursday at Dengel & Son Mortuary until the service hour, where the family will meet with friends 7 to 8:00 Thursday evening. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.