Hudson, Mabel Schaal Sturgeon – d. 2011

BYRNE, HUDSON, SCHAAL, SPENCER, STURGEON

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 9/8/2024 at 13:31:27

Mabel Sturgeon Hudson, 100, died peacefully in her home in Meridian, Idaho on November 13, 2011. A prayer vigil and wake was held for the family following her death.
Memorial services will be held at a later date in Woodward, Iowa for her extended family and friends.
Mabel was born in Sheldahl, Iowa, to David F. and Marietta Schaal. She lived much of her early life in Woodward, Iowa where she and her husband, Marvin Sturgeon, farmed and raised dairy cattle until Marvin's death in 1968. She taught school for 20 years in the Sheldahl, Woodward and Perry areas, retiring in 1977. In the same year, she married Harry Hudson, and moved to Manson, Washington, where they lived on Lake Chelan until Harry's death in 1989.
Mabel attended Simpson College and received her bachelor's degree from Drake University. She pursued additional studies at the University of Idaho in library science.
Mabel was a 4-H leader, a Woodward Library board member, played the church organ for 20 years, and was a life member of the United Methodist Women's Society. She was also a member of the Abigail Adams Chapter of The Daughters of the American Revolution and several genealogical and historical societies. She was an extensive traveler, having visited Russia, Spain, the Panama Canal, Canada and Mexico, as well as many destinations throughout the United States.
Mabel is survived by a daughter, Janet Spencer Byrne and her husband Patrick Byrne, of Boise, Idaho; a son, Robert Sturgeon and his wife, Jane Sturgeon of Urbandale, Iowa; and a son, David Sturgeon of Fairbanks, Alaska; 14 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and three siblings.
She was lovingly cared for by the staff of Meadow Lake Village during her final years.
She loved parties and was honored with two for her 100th birthday. When asked to what she attributed her long life, she said, "You put one foot in front of the other and you just keep going".
Published in Des Moines (IA) Register; Sunday, December 4, 2011, page 8B