Maude Abel

Maude D. Abel was born December 5, 1906 to Joseph and Mattie (Vesterby) Holm in rural Jackson County, Minnesota. She attended school in Sherburn, Minnesota and beauty school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, St. James, Minnesota where she was a Sunday school teacher and was active in the women's association serving as Circle Chairwoman. She was ordained an Elder in the Session, was a Deacon and also served as church treasurer. She was an active member of the St. James Garden Club in which she held all offices in the club. She served as an extension leader, secretary of the Watonwan Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and served as secretary to the Board of Directors of Pleasant View Good Samaritan Center, and was a member of the St. James American Legion Auxiliary. Maude worked as a sales clerk for Traub's Jewelry in St. James for 30 years. She enjoyed reading, crafts, flowers, working in her garden, playing cards and spending time with her family and friends. She is survived by two daughters, Mary and husband Ron Naumann of Mora, Minnesota, and Barbara and husband Roland (Doc) Belcher of Omaha, Nebraska, two sons, John and wife Joyce Rabbe of Trimont, Minnesota, and Paul and wife Pat Nordstrom of St. James, Minnesota; 10 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren. Maude is also survived by two step-daughters, LuAnn Prachar and Faith Reichert; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husbands, John Rabbe, Sr. in 1931, Sherman Nordstrom in 1945, and Fred Abel in 1971; a two year old grandson, David Jon Gauger; a son-in-law, Douglas Gauger; and 12 brothers and sisters.