Mabel A. Hilliard

Mabel A. (Oien) Hilliard, 88 of Lakota, ND passed away on Thursday, January 18, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Center, Larimore, ND. 

Mabel Anna, was born on November 10, 1929 at Bagley, Minnesota, daughter of Sigurd and Mary (Goodmanson) Oien. She grew up and was educated in the Bagley, Clearbrook area, attending the Gateway District #3 school.  She moved with the family to the Martinson farm at Edmore and worked beside her mother helping with all the aspects of farming and also was a waitress at the Edmore Café for several years in order to help support the family. 

Mabel was united in marriage to Elroy Hilliard on June 8, 1954 at Lengby, Minnesota. Elroy was serving in the United States Army and where ever he was stationed, the family was at his side. They made their home in many places including Fort Worth, Texas, New York, Bremerhaven, Germany, Seattle, Washington, Inchon, Korea and Frankfurt, Germany and Fort Riley, Kansas.   Mabel was a devoted wife and mother and did the best she could with each move, keeping family as her priority. 

In 1969, after Elroy’s 20 plus years of service, the family moved to Lakota, ND. Elroy was working construction and built the Miller Store “Little Store on the Prairie” and Mabel began working in the store after it was completed. 

Whenever Mabel had the opportunity for a garden, she planted one. She was involved from seeding to harvesting the produce, canning, processing and then sharing the bounty with her family and friends.  She was always willing to share her talents, recipes and those helpful hints with her family.  Mabel loved each of her children unconditionally, but she showed her humor in her famous line, “My favorite kid is always the one coming through the door”.

After Elroy died, November 27, 1995, Mabel felt so blessed to be close to her large family and she treasured all the family get togethers, family trips, watching her children and grandchildren in all their activities. A trip to the Grand Ole Opry and to Mexico were very special to her.  She loved all the old time country singers and their songs. 

Mabel’s faith and family were her strengths throughout her life. We will miss you and love you always. 

Mabel is survived by her loving family. Her children Steve (Sandy) Hilliard, Lengby, MN, Elton Hilliard, Detroit Lakes, MN, Erwin (Elaine) Hilliard, Missoula, MT, Marvin (Debbie) Hilliard, Mapes, ND, Linda Atherton, Lakota, ND,Larry (Vicki) Hilliard, Havre, MT, Lorraine (fiancé John Renner) Larson, Washburn, ND, Wayne Hilliard, Thompson, ND, Earl (fiancé Laura Murphy-Zumwalt) Hilliard, Larimore, and David (Dinah) Hilliard, Center, ND; 37 grandchildren; 54 great grandchildren, daughter-in-law Linda Wade-Hilliard, Missouri and son-in-law Jim Larson, Grand Forks; brothers Andy Oien, Bagley, MN and Ole (Dora) Oien, Las Vegas, NV; many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sigurd Oien and Mary and Orris Martinson; husband Elroy; son Dennis; grandchildren Jeffrey and Jerod Hilliard; great granddaughter Aubrianna Hilliard; sons-in-law Bradley Solberg and Will Atherton; daughter-in-law Beth Hilliard; brothers Sivert and Oscar Oien; sisters Hilda Olson, Olga Jordahl, Helena Flaherty and Mary Lundin. 

Funeral Services for Mabel will be held on Friday, January 26, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Lakota Lutheran Church with Reverend Tedd Reike officiating. Burial will be in the Lakota Cemetery in the spring. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 25^th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Lakota Lutheran Church with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation on Friday will be one hour prior to the funeral service.