Mabel Strong

A Funeral Service for Mabel F. Strong will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastor Daren Popple officiating.

A Graveside Service will be held at 3:30 p.m. the Park Hill Cemetery at Syracuse, Nebraska.

Mabel Freda Strong, 102 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2022, at the Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege. Mabel was born on March 24, 1920, in Madison County, Nebraska, near Norfolk, Nebraska, the third of four children, born to Alfred and Estelle (Kalkwarf) Koehler.  She received her primary education through the 8 ^th grade from a country school.

Following her education, Mabel began working as a caretaker and eventually met her future husband.

On November 27, 1940, Mabel was united in marriage to Merrill "M.C." Strong.  The couple were blessed with one daughter, Patricia Ann.  The family made their home in Humboldt, Nebraska, until 1962, when they purchased the Kizzier-Anderson Chevrolet at 924 Fourth Avenue, Holdrege, and renamed it Strong Bros. Chevrolet.  In the 1980s, they moved their business to west Highway 6&34, and renamed it Auto Villa, Inc., which they operated until their retirement in 1993.

The couple enjoyed traveling abroad and spending time with their family.  Mabel's passion was gardening.  She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Holdrege.

Mabel was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one granddaughter, Nicole Phelps; one granddaughter-in-law, Kim L. Phelps; two sisters:  Grace Hackett and her husband, Roy; and Alva Green and her husband, Lloyd "Earl"; and one brother-in-law, Robert Johnson.

Mabel is survived by her daughter, Pat Phelps of Kearney, Nebraska; one grandson, Todd Phelps and his fiancé, Kimberly Bullock of Kearney; one granddaughter, Heather Madsen and her husband, Dale of Kearney; four great-grandchildren: Logan Doherty and her husband, Dennis of Kearney; MaKayla Pennington and her husband, Clark of Holdrege; Austen Madsen; and Kyler Madsen, both of Kearney; four great-great-grandchildren:  Aaliyh and Charlotte Doherty; and Breckyn and Brexxli Pennington; one sister:  Donna Johnson of Alexandria, Minnesota; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Mabel's honor, and kindly suggested to the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.