Mabel Postolka

MABEL POSTOLKA

Sioux Rapids

Mabel Postolka, 96, of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, died Sunday, May 17, 2015, at the Sioux Care Center in Sioux Rapids.

Memorial graveside services will be held at a later date in the National Cemetery in Vining, Iowa. There will be no visitation. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids is in charge of the arrangements.

Mabel Kathryn Nebendahl, the daughter of Emil and Alberta (Letch) Nebendahl, was born on Jan. 13, 1919, at the home of her maternal grandparents in Unionville, Mo. Her father was on his way home from France, having been drafted in July 1918. Mabel graduated from the Elberon High School at Elberon, Iowa, in May 1936. After attending Iowa State Teacher's College (now the University of Northern Iowa) in Cedar Falls, Iowa, she taught in rural schools for seven years in Tama and Sioux counties followed by teaching in the public school in Granville. She was also employed in other jobs, including being the children's librarian at Hawarden, Iowa. She also worked for the City of Sioux Rapids for several years doing the water billings.

On May 28, 1940, Mabel married Sylvester Postolka in Tama, Iowa. They became the parents of two sons, Steven and Bruce. The Postolkas lived in many towns while Sylvester worked for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. They came to make their home in Sioux Rapids in 1965. Mabel was a member of the First United Church of Sioux Rapids and a longtime member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Her hobbies included reading, sewing, crocheting and being with and helping her grandchildren.

She leaves to mourn her two sons, Steven (Jeanette) Postolka of Winthrop, Ill., and Bruce Postolka of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; her sister, Lorayne Votrobek of Elberson, Iowa; and other extended family and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Sylvester; and three sisters: Ruby Welch of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Beulah Brandt of Weir, Texas, and Ruth Lyman of Belle Plaine, Iowa.