Mabel Gladys Bittner, 88, passed away at Golden Acres Manor, on May 21, 2022, where she resided for the past few years.  Mabel Gladys Gussiaas was born on September 16,1933, the 2nd youngest of 15 children, born to Andrew and Thea Gussiaas.

Mabel grew up on a rural Carrington farm in a large family, and was baptized and confirmed at Kvernes Lutheran Church, which she came to cherish fondly as an institution that was formative in her early faith development. She attended and graduated from Carrington Public School, and lived in Carrington while attending school. During that time, she also worked as a secretary in a local law firm, a job she said she greatly enjoyed. She was able to draw readily upon those skills, even many years after she had worked there.

Mabel Gladys Bittner married Daris D Bittner on November 7th, 1952. She worked tirelessly alongside her husband Daris on the farm and ranch, where together they raised registered Simmental cattle, Quarter horses, and grew small grain. They shared virtually all of the same interests. Sunday afternoons often found them out checking the cattle in the pastures, since the day was always reserved for church and non-work activities. Mabel and Daris faithfully attended Stavanger Lutheran church, where she was often engaged in the musical programming, taught Sunday school, and was the primary pianist for the congregation. Later, they attended Fessenden Lutheran Church, until they ultimately moved to Carrington, where they then attended Trinity Lutheran Church until it became difficult, due to health concerns.

Mabel’s hospitality is one of the primary qualities for which she will be remembered. A warm smile, coupled with her characteristic warmth and hospitality, are among the sterling qualities she shared with those around her, and for which she will be long remembered. Her culinary expertise was one of her most laudable talents. Her passions included making any number of Norwegian and Scandinavian foods, with a particular emphasis on desserts. She was also especially gifted in the art of lefse making. Many times, the day after Thanksgiving, we would gather together in the kitchen, keeping three lefse-making grills busy for hours, and combining our collective efforts toward making a large amount of lefse for the coming holidays. When time allowed, which was seldom, she even prepared these ethnic foods for some of our local weddings that had chosen a Scandinavian theme.

Mabel was a knowledgeable and committed gardener, keeping up both a decorative flower garden and a very large vegetable/fruit garden, much of which was ultimately frozen or canned, including several varieties of pickles. Mabel and Daris were people who knew well and celebrated the importance of friends, by the manner in which they chose to host informal gatherings. In their day, one of their most enjoyable pastimes was to simply call a neighbor and ask whether they had plans that afternoon, or if they would be open to a visit or would like to come over for an informal meal. That was a common activity that epitomizes the spirit of fellowship that her family will long remember.

Mabel was preceded in death by an infant daughter, her husband Daris, and her parents as well as 13 siblings. Survivors of her family include her sister Judy Swanson, her two children, Mark (Sherri) Bittner and Tami Kost, a grandson, Dustin (Melissa) Kost, and three great granddaughters, Kadence, McKenzie, and Madison. She will be missed greatly by each.

Mabel’s Celebration of Life will be Saturday, June 4, 2022 from 2:00 – 3:00PM at Trinity Lutheran Church, Carrington.