Mabel Zeltwanger

Funeral services for Mabel Zeltwanger of Hancock, MN, will be held Monday, July 24, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. the Apostolic Christian Church North in Morris.  Visitation will be Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Apostolic Christian Church North and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.  Burial will be at the Apostolic Christian Church Cemetery, rural Morris. 

Mabel Marie Schmidt, daughter of Mike and Anna (Mogler) Schmidt, was born January 13, 1930 in Ottosen, Iowa. Mabel grew up on the family farm in Iowa, where she grew up and attended school. Mabel was baptized in her faith at the Apostolic Christian Church at the age of 21. She was united in marriage to the love of her life, John Zeltwanger on April 3, 1955.   The couple made her home in Hancock. Together, they raised cattle, pigs, corn and beans.  She was a devoted wife, caring for John in every way that she could until his time here was done. 

She loved working outside and had the prettiest yard and flowers around.  She was meticulous in her work, from her yard to her tidy home to the meals that she cooked, and she was consistent!  You could always rely on Mabel to cook the best Thanksgiving stuffing, have candy dishes full of M & M’s and Leman’s mints, and bake the best German chocolate and Angel food cakes.  She loved her routine, which included daily conversations with her sister Chrystol and other friends and family members when they were still with us.  We are sure she is already making up for lost time with her loved ones in Heaven, and we are very sure she’s thankful she does not have to worry about using that cell phone anymore.  

As a mom, she passed along a lot of traits and skills, like cooking and baking and taking care of her loved ones, but Connie will tell you that she is most grateful for her mom’s Christian heritage and her work ethic.  A distinct memory from Connie is that Mabel was willing to take her swimming at Page Lake anytime, but Mabel was sure to bring peas to shuck and beans to snap while she supervised!

Mabel was a very special grandma. She enjoyed watching all of their activities, especially basketball, and cooked lunch for them every day of the school year, as soon as they were in high school and could come over to her place at noon.  She also loved to take them shopping, and trust us, you wanted to go shopping with Grandma!

Her love grew with each great-grandchild, and they can all share special memories of their great-grandma, including hymn singing and playing games like “hide the thimble.”  She also let her great-grandkids add lots of bubbles to her huge bathtub, something she never let her grandkids do!

Mabel was the model of steadfast faith.  She didn’t always understand God’s reasons for the way things were, but she never questioned his grace and goodness.  We are so very grateful for the 93 years Mabel had on this earth (even though she was convinced it was 94.)   

She is survived by her daughter: Connie (Steve) Nuest of Morris; three grandchildren: Cory (Shannon) Nuest of Becker, Chad (Kalee) Nuest of Hancock and Ashlee (Claudy) Francois of Hancock; eight great-grandchildren: Courtney (fiancé Kaden DeWall), Danielle and Troy Nuest, Abigail, Jett and Cash Nuest and Lia and Emerson Francois; one brother: Jerry (Judy) Schmidt of West Bend, IA; three brothers-in-law: William Zeltwanger Jr. of Indianapolis, IN, Lyle (Marilyn) Zeltwanger of Valparaiso, IN and Reuben Luthi of Washington, IL and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband: John Zeltwanger; sister: Chrystol Luthi; brother: Ivan Schmidt, many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and extended family. 

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Apostolic Christian Church Morris North Goodwill Fund or Gideons. 

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in care of the arrangements for Mabel.