Mabel C. Schenck

Mabel C. Schenck, mother of Linda (Lonnie) Link of Malta, passed away peacefully Weds., Dec. 23, 2015 at Garnet Place Assisted Living in Garden City, ID with family at her side. Funeral services will be Thurs., Dec. 31, 2015 in Boise, ID with burial at the VA Cemetery, where her husband, Walter, is buried.

Mabel Christena (Ely) Schenck, age 95, was born Nov. 30, 1920 - the only child of Floyd Curtis and Christena (Drader) Ely, in Monitor, WA. When she was a year old, the family moved to Graham, WA, where they established a Jersey dairy farm. "Mamie" attended school in Kapowsin, and after graduating from high school, worked as a secretary to General Thompson at the Soldiers' Home in Orting, WA. Later, she worked in a bank.

Mamie met her soldier boy, Walter Ray Schenck, Jr., just before WWII broke out. After the war ended, they married on Oct. 16, 1945 in Eatonville, WA. To this union, two daughters were born: Linda Darlene and Susan Anita.

Mabel and Walter raised Linda and Susan on 30 beautiful acres near Mabel's childhood home in Graham, and resided there for 58 years with Mt. Rainier and wildlife in their back yard - until 2003, when Walter's health began to fail. They then moved to Boise, ID to live with Susan and husband Ed Sloan for two years, and then moved to Willow Park Independent Living until Walter died in 2008.

Mabel moved to Malta, MT at that time and lived with Linda and husband Lonnie Link for six years. When her health began deteriorating, last Spring, Mabel returned to Idaho and lived for eight months at Garnet Place Assisted Living, where she got excellent care and support, and made new friends.

Eighty-five years ago, when she was 10, Mabel made her choice to serve God in gospel meetings held in a barn. Part of a worldwide fellowship, John Vint and Howard Mooney preached the gospel of Jesus Christ according to the scripture, to the community. She and Walter loved having Sunday morning fellowship meetings in their home for 34 years, welcoming the ministers and friends to their home.

Mabel loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren - and her wish for them was that they would always be faithful to God. Her life was one of modesty and keeping God first.

She was a wonderful wife, mother, and homemaker, and kept her life simple and free of distractions in order to keep her priorities straight. Mabel had many talents - up until her last days - including piano playing, shorthand, emailing, china painting, crocheting, enjoying travel, crossword puzzles, and reading.

Mabel was preceded in death by Walter, her husband of 62 years. Survivors include: daughters Linda (Lonnie) Link, of Malta; Susan (Ed) Sloan, of Boise, ID; six grandchildren: Lane Link and Leanne Pfeifer of Billings, MT; Brice, Greg (Amy), Collin (Mariska), and Rusty Sloan of Boise; 11 great grandchildren: Danielle and Amber Pfeifer of Billings; Anita, Emma, Carson, Wyatt, Trevor, Mason, Melissa, Emily, and Nicole Sloan of Boise; dear nephews, nieces, cousins, and a host of friends.

Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel of Boise is in charge of arrangements.

There will be a memorial service in Malta, date to be announced, in January.