Mabel Eileen (Froehlich) Tkach peacefully passed away on July 1, 2023 at her son's home in Starkville, MS.  Her funeral service, open to the public, will be held on August 4, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in McClusky, N.D.  Burial will be in the city cemetery with lunch to follow at the McClusky City Hall.  Roughly ten years ago Mabel was asked what she wanted in her obituary.  She wrote:  "Mabel E. (Froehlich) Tkach:  born in McClusky, lived in McClusky, married in McClusky, raised a family in McClusky, died in McClusky."  Well, that's close.  But there's more to it than that.  So here's the rest of the story.

Jacob and Emma Froehlich welcomed a daughter, Mabel Eileen, into the world on February 14, 1928.  What a novelty for older brothers Roy and Leo; a baby sister for Valentine's Day!  When Robert, the youngest, came along the Froehlich family was complete.  Emma's illness and death shook the family's foundation.  Losing her mother at age five stayed with Mabel the rest of her life.  After her dad married Erna Braunberger, Mabel became a big sister to three new siblings: a sister Pat, and brothers Tim and Greg.

Mabel was a McClusky girl through and through.  She graduated from McClusky High School in 1946.  If Roy and Leo were double trouble, Mabel and Bob were two peas in a pod.  The Froehlich Foursome remained close through their adult years.  Their spouses naturally became part of the Froehlich flock.

Mabel met George Tkach courtesy of Froehlich Ford.  George was a farm boy who helped keep fighter planes in the air in the Pacific during WWII.  Those skills were transferred to working in the Ford body shop.  It put bread on the table, but farming was George's passion.  It's a clear cut case of opposites attract.  On September 21, 1947 George tied the knot with Mabel, the town girl who knew nothing about farming!

The adventure called marriage included living in a basement house.  But the birth of their youngest, Robert, resulted in the family moving on up when the rest of the house was built.   Roger and Barbara got their own bedrooms while Rod and Bob shared a room.  With all this going on Mabel was learning the ins and outs of being a "sidewalk" farmer.  That is, living in town and driving to the farm!  One of the most complicated machines to operate was the Gleaner combine.  Of course, that's the one Mabel laid claim too!

Like George, Mabel was involved in the community: the Legion Auxiliary (70 year member), Home Makers, Red Hats and Scippy to name a few.  If Mabel joined something she put her heart and soul into it.  Evidence of that was seen in the Scouting program and her extensive involvement in her church.  Mabel contributed both time and talent to see two centennial books completed; one for the city and one for her church.  Her kindness found expression through her prayerful and financial support of missions, sending Christmas cards to deployed soldiers, and her involvement with the North Dakota Veteran's Home.  Mabel was an avid reader, a prayer warrior, and a family centered woman.

Mabel took great pride in her yard and award winning flower garden.  Somehow her faith and flowers went together as both needed watering, weeding, and constant care.  Mabel's relationship with Jesus was as deep as it was complex.  Losing her husband without being able to say good-bye was tremendously hard.  It didn't get any easier when it happened again, and again, and again with the three children who preceded her in death.  Yet, she tenaciously hung on to Jesus and was more than ready when her time came to meet her Lord.

Mabel is survived by her son Rod (Marilyn) Tkach of Starkville, MS; 9 grandchildren: Stephanie (Matt) Sullivan, Kristy (Andy) Vela, Justin (Caris) Tkach , Dawn Delvo, Jessica Delvo, Benjamin (Melanie) Tkach, Jeremy (Tasha) Tkach, Erica Powell, and Kimberly Tkach; 13 great-grandchildren: Jaida, Kingston, Samantha, Keziwan, Asher, Evelyn, Cooper, Marley, Alleeya, Caleb, Kardayah, Claire, and Airianna; a sister, Patricia (Charles) Stalnaker and a brother Timothy (Carol) Froehlich as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Mabel was preceded in death by her parents, J.J. and Emma Froehlich; her husband, George; sons, Roger and Robert; daughter Barbara and her husband Samuel; brothers and spouses, Roy (Marge) Froehlich; Leo (Jackie) Froehlich, Robert (Arlys) Froehlich, and Greg Froehlich.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the McClusky Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 622 or the McClusky United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 376.  McClusky's zip is 58463.