Mabelle Holben

Mabelle P. Holben

Mabelle Holben was born December 29, 1915, to parents Harvey and Lula (Siebels) Lightwine in Logan, IA. She went to country school and graduated from Woodbine High School in 1935. She married her high school sweetheart, Wells Holben, on July 14, 1935. They had three daughters; Shirley, Sandra, and Sheila. The couple moved to Omaha where Wells worked for Robert's Dairy. Mabelle worked for St. Joseph Hospital. She then worked for the Martin Bomber Building, at Offutt AFB. Mabelle mentioned one day that she would love to fly on one of the B-29. Her commanding officer granted this wish, but they had to be careful because women were not allowed on board. Therefore, Mabelle was given a flying suit, parachute, helmet and a false name. She was also asked not to speak - just nod your head if spoken to. Mabelle exclaimed, "It was a thrill, oh, it was a thrill!" Once Mabelle had her youngest daughter in high school, she reentered the workforce as a dental assistant. In 1960 the family moved to Denver, CO, and Mabelle worked as a seamstress at Snutty Miss Dress Shop. The couple moved back to Omaha in the late '60's. Wells died on October 10,1976. Mabelle's last job before retirement was at Central City Parking. Most of the parking attendants were Central High School students and she loved that bunch of kids.

Mabelle died September 12, 2002 at Skyline Manor in Omaha, NE attaining the age of 86 years, 8 months, and 14 days.

Mabelle was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather, Harvey Kennedy, husband, brother Howard Lightwine and two stepsisters; Fern and Elizabeth. She is survived by three daughters; Shirley Anne and her husband Lester Duis of Omaha, Sandra Kay and her husband Robert Walsh of South Burlington, VT, and Sheila Dianne Brocha of Where, NH; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Graveside Services
Sunday, September 15, 2002 at 2:00 pm
at Woodbine Cemetery in Woodbine, IA.
Clergy
Rev. Dale D. Drown
Recorded Music
"In The Garden"
"His Eye Is On The Sparrow"

Honorary Bearers
Dawn Sarette Scott Brochu
George Peirce Michael Peirce
Amy Peirce

Active Casket Bearers
Craig Duis Pam Shields
Paul Duis Tim Duis

Burial
Woodbine Cemetery in Woodbine, IA.
Fouts Funeral Home