Mabel Holtan, 89, died on Monday, April 20, 2009 at Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, April 24, 2009 at Faith Lutheran Brethren Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Pastor George Davis officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 23, 2009 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls with a 7:00 P.M. Prayer service on Thursday evening. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Mabel Tharaldson was born on January 11, 1920 in Fosston, MN, the daughter of Tarald (Tom) and Anna (Johnson) Tharaldson. She was baptized at Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston, MN and also confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Mabel attended Happy Corner Rural School near Fosston.

Before she married, Mabel worked one summer in Yellowstone National Park. She worked for Andeen farms near Argyle, MN. Mabel was united in marriage to Joe Shorty Holtan on May 1, 1954 and early in their marriage the couple moved to Thief River Falls. In the late 1950s they started the Thief River Speedway, a race track west of Thief River Falls and Mabel also helped her husband, Shorty, with the scrap iron business.

She was a member of Faith Lutheran Brethren Church. Mabel loved to cook and bake and enjoyed a large vegetable garden every summer. She had an appreciation for music and loved to dance, especially Waltz, Two Step and Polkas. Mabel had a love for horses and raised and remembered all of their names for all those years.

Mabel is survived by five children: Russell (Sheila) Holtan of Thief River Falls, MN, Mary Lou Lian of Nashwauk, MN, Dale (Deb) Holtan of Newfolden, MN, Jeanette Holtan of Nashwauk, MN and Dean Holtan of Thief River Falls, MN; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Martha Tharaldson of Fosston, MN; and special nieces and nephews: Alene, Kenny, Lenora, Roselie, Gene, and JoAnn.

She was preceded in death by her husband Joe Shorty in 1991; her parents; and three brothers: Orin, Clarence and Tilford and beloved dog Mecca.

Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com
SPECIAL MUSIC: Cathy Erickson, Blue Skirt Waltz
SOLOIST: Joel Rude
SELECTION: One Day At A Time
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Amazing Grace and Softly and Tenderly
CASKETBEARERS: Chad Lian, Brian Holtan, Kevin Pollock, Aaron Holtan, Joseph Holtan and Cole Lian
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: Amber Holtan, Amanda Magner, Katrina Holtan, Kassi Srnsky, Kelsy Piche, Charity Nelson and Sara Pollock.