Mabel Harshman

Mabel Marie Harshman, a longtime Rawlins, WY and Hemet, CA, resident, died January 17, 2018 at the age of 94. Services are planned for Monday, January 22, 2018 at 1pm at the Rawlins Cooperative Parish (800 23rd street) in Rawlins. Rev. Karen Buckingham will be officiating the services at the church and the graveside immediately following. Mabel Marie Harshman was born March 25, 1923, in Grand Rapids Michigan, the daughter of Blandford and Ruby May Allen. Mabel grew up the oldest of thirteen children, often working alongside her parents on the family farm and helping raise her siblings. When she turned sixteen she moved away from her family to live with a beloved teacher in Big Rapid, Michigan, where she finished school and worked at a local soda shop. It was this soda shop she met the love of her life Marvin E. Harshman. Mabel and Marvin were married in a small ceremony in 1942. The couple moved to several communities in various states before making their longtime home in Rawlins. They spent much of their marriage running the family owed Rawlins Travelodge. As the manager and owner, Mabel worked tirelessly with so many young people. People she took pride in teaching important life skills, a strong work ethic, and the love of customer service; always going the extra mile for the comfort of others. In 1979, the family sold the motel and Mabel and Marvin began their life as seasonal snow birds, spending months at a time in Hemet, California. Mabel enjoyed golf, mall shopping, and playing cards with friends. She particularly enjoyed her time at Panorama Village where she made many friends and memories. Three years ago, Mabel returned to live in Rawlins and spend quality time with her family and her friends at the Carbon County Senior Center. Mabel will be remembered for her sense of humor and ability to reminisce and share stories of her experiences through. Mabel is survived by, her sisters Vivian Landes, her husband, Smoky, of Michigan; Ruth Fuss of Colorado; Joan Hopkins of Michigan; Barbara Ward, her husband Keith, of Rawlins; Audrey Putnam, of Michigan; brother George Allen, and his wife Carol; daughter-in- Law Joyce Harshman; Grandson William II, his wife Rebecca; their sons, Aaron and Taylor, of Rawlins. Granddaughter Diane, her husband, Bill MacPherson, their daughter, Chelsi, her husband Robert Jr, and their daughter MacKenna Marie. Also, a "special" son Jim Wells, his wife Belinda, along with their children and grandchildren. Mabel is also survived by many beloved generations of nieces and nephews in various states. Mrs. Harshman was preceded in death by her parents Blandford and Ruby May Allen, her husband, Marvin, Her two sons William "Bill" and Allen Harshman, her siblings, Harold Allen, Erma Kutchinski, Evelynn Eckert, Marvin Allen, Betty Moore, and Linden Allen. Pall bearers are Kurt Kelly, Robert Ross Jr. Kevin Ward, Garrett Wells, Steve and Joshua Kovachevich. Honorary pall bearers are Keith Ward, Richard and Kort Harshman, Fred Meyer, George Allen, and Rin Moore. In lieu of flowers, gifts of memory of Mabel Harshman may be made to the Carbon County Senior Center.

Service

Monday, January 22, 2018 1:00pm

Rawlins Cooperative Parish

800 N. 23rd St.

RAWLINS, WY

Interment

Rawlins Cemetery

915 Third St.

RAWLINS, WY