Mabel E. O'Callaghan

Mabel O’Callaghan, 106, died January 52015 at the Villa Maria, Fargo, ND.

Mabel Elvina Nordine was born on April 23, 1908, on the family farm homesteaded by her parents in Falson Township, Verendrye, ND.  She was one of eleven children born to Edwin and Sophia (Lorass) Nordine.  Her father died while she was very young which required that all of the children take on serious responsibilities at an early age.  Mabel attended college, obtained a teachers certificate, and taught rural schools in Carson, Brisbane, and Raleigh communities for 12 years.  When she moved to Bismarck Mabel began working for department stores, ending up at Lucas’s Department Store (Herbergers). 

Mabel met Army Captain Paul Hedstrom and they were married for 30 years living where the Army sent them – all over the US, Korea, and parts of Europe, in particular Verdun, France.  She was with Paul in Korea when the North invaded the South and had to be evacuated to Japan on an odor-filled Norwegian fertilizer cargo ship and then home to Minot, ND.  Paul and Mabel Hedstrom made their home in Bismarck.  When he died in 1967 Mabel returned to work at Lucas’s.  She was a founding and longtime member of Bismarck Good Shepard Lutheran Church and an active member and president of the Coterie Club of Bismarck.

Mutual friends introduced Mabel to Garry O’Callaghan and they married in Tempe, Arizona on February 4, 1984.  Upon that marriage she instantly became a mother and grandmother!  Garry and Mabel became experienced travelers, visiting many southern “snow bird” resorts while escaping ND winters.  In 2007 they moved to Edgewood Village in Fargo and on Feb 22, 2011, Garry passed away. Mabel survived two husbands, five wars (including Korea), 11 siblings and many decades as a Minnesota Twins fan. Mabel has 8 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren in her ranks, and when she’s asked which one is her favorite she says “All of them.”  One of her secrets to longevity: “Believe in God.”

Mabel is survived by two step-sons, Allen (Elaine) O’Callaghan, Omaha, NE and Larry (Marilyn) O’Callaghan, Fargo, ND; brother-in-law, James O'Callaghan, Des Moines, IA; grandchildren: Tara (Chad) Kalal, St. Petersburg, FL; Brennon (Shelly) O'Callaghan, Maple Grove, MN; Ryan (Casey) O'Callaghan & Starlyn (Joshua) Green, all of Bozeman, MT; Keenan O’Callaghan, New Orleans, LA; Heidi (Vince) Williams, Fargo, ND; Joshua (Jill) Nelson, Fergus Falls, MN; Cody (Michelle) Nelson, Casselton, ND; and 17 great-grandchildren; and many very, very special nieces and nephews who she adored and loved as her own.