Smothers, Mabel Christensen

Mabel Christensen Smothers, 95, longtime resident of Iowa City, died Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, at the Solon Nursing Care Center. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, with burial to follow at the West Branch Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

A memorial fund has been established in Mabel's memory.

Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web at .

Mabel Helen Patera was born Jan. 17, 1918, to her Czech parents, Edith (Spevacek) and Frank Patera. She was raised by a loving farm family in rural Johnson County, attending Scott Township #5 country school and later graduating from University High School. At an early age, she learned the importance of working together, respect of oneself and others, sharing the gift of gab, joy of laughter and faith. She taught these values to her family. Her friendship and love were given unconditionally and always.

Having six siblings and two hired hands at each meal, the Patera Girls all became wonderful cooks and homemakers at tender years. She truly loved to cook. Her homes always had fresh fruits and preserves, wild game and fish, fresh butchered chickens, ducks, geese, beef and pork. Homemade pickles, breads, pies; always room for one more at the table. Guests were loved and treasured like family.

Mabel married Albert Christensen on June 1, 1935, in Moline, Ill. Their homes were the centers of entertainment for family and friends, every weekend held dinners, picnics, card games and fresh pie after church for those who stopped by. They farmed in the Morse and West Branch areas until Dec. 1, 1965, when Albert passed away. The couple had three children, Ron, Bruce and Becky. Ron and Mary Ann (Coppock) gave Mabel her three beloved grandsons, Jeff, Ron Jr. and Dan. She enjoyed teaching them the joy of cooking, even before they were old enough to play Little League. Mabel worked as a cook for Ford Hopkins and as a candy maker. She was at Montgomery Ward in the Service Department for many years and later at Sears before retiring in 1983 from Procter & Gamble after 22 years as their cook.

She married Clarence Welsh on Feb. 6, 1970, but later divorced. On Feb. 19, 1983, she married Robert Smothers. Robert died on April 21, 2007.

Mabel's joys in her life were her children and grandchildren. All their activities were so important to her. Traveling, cooking, card parties, garage sales, auctions, buying and refinishing antique furniture, telling jokes, playing the slot machines; all favorite past times for Mabel!

Her family includes her children, Ron Christensen and his wife, Linda, Bruce Christensen all of Iowa City and Becky Christensen and Cliff Montgomery of Cedar Rapids; and grandsons, Jeff Christensen and his wife, Kristen and their children, Lauren and Benjamin; Ron Christensen Jr. and his wife, Katy and their children, Tyrus and Scott Nortman and Stevenson Christensen and Dan Christensen.

Mabel is also survived by Robert Smother's family; several cousins, nieces, nephews and so many friends over the years who she considered family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Albert and Robert; and siblings, Clarence, Gladys, Leona and Frank Patera, Dorothy Stimmel and Berniece Smothers.

We love you Mom, you will always be with us.

Published in The Gazette Nov. 26, 2013.