Mabel Marie was born at the family home on Alkali Creek on September 21, 1926, to John D. and Mary (Grubl) Keffeler. She was the oldest of eight children born to this union. She joined John’s other five children whose mother, Mary Blanche (Farwell) Keffeler, had died in December 1923. Some people would have referred to each other as half-sisters or half-brothers, but Mom always said there were no “halves” in the family. They were her sisters and brothers.
Growing up in a large family, every day was filled with adventure, mischief, and plenty of hard work. Mom spent countless hours in the fields with her Dad. One of her greatest passions was combining. She loved to watch the wheat fall. That passion carried through to haying on the ranch when she would windrow the hay fields.
Mabel attended grade school in a one room country school and went to high school at St. Martins Academy in Sturgis graduating on May 22, 1945. After graduating high school, she went on to Black Hills State Teachers College and received her permit to teach. She taught for several years and for a time during those years, she taught some of her younger siblings.
Mom’s hands were only idle and empty when she slept! Otherwise, they were full of children, cooking and baking utensils, gardening tools, cleaning devices, a steering wheel getting her kids and the neighbor kids to school, windrowing, raking hay, crocheting, embroidering, patching clothes, the list is endless. Her hands were strong; they were hard-working hands. She was a great Mother, caring for her children and family, cooking three meals a day, every day, while being a top ranch hand. The energy and work ethic she possessed was beyond belief; she worked circles around most.
Her mother had taught her to embroider and crochet, and Mom was passionate about both. She crocheted countless afghans, dolls, caps, and decorations for all seasons. She embroidered numerous pillowcases and dresser scarves. The tender, homemade things she made were often given to family and friends, which said “you are special to me and our family.”
Mom loved flowers and gardening. She spent many hours tending to her flowers, to her garden and loved sharing the fruits of her labor with family and friends, year after year. Her canning and food preservation were shared and enjoyed all year long. From the garden patch, to harvest, to preserving, to table, Mom made sure no one went hungry.
Hospitality was another one of Mom’s gifts. She hosted the McPherson Thanksgiving for years. A table was placed in nearly every room of the house to accommodate the 40 plus family that attended. Their home was always open and a welcoming place to gather for delicious meals, a cup or two of coffee and whatever sweet treat she had baked that day. Dad had a sweet tooth and Mom always made sure every meal included one, except for breakfast! She made an infamous chocolate cake that was well known and consumed by many!! No one ever left her table or their home hungry no matter what time of day they showed up!
Mom was a caregiver to others. She spent hours helping others when they needed a shoulder to cry on, were ill, or just wanted someone there. Mom’s mother passed away unexpectedly in 1958, when Mom was 32 years old. This was a factor in Mom being extremely close to her in-laws, Eugene and Ida McPherson, and was an incredible caregiver to them for many, many years until their passing.
Our Mom was the queen of recycling long before it was a thing. Nearly everything had a second purpose, and some had three or four.
Her favorite color was purple.
On June 9, 1950, Mabel married the love of her life, the cowboy down the road on Alkali Creek, Don (Donald) McPherson. From that day on, they worked side by side making their home and life together on the prairie. There was never a better example of what marriage is all about: respect, devotion, and unconditional love. A better team would be hard to find. A marriage lasting 69 years until Don’s passing on September 29, 2019.
That respect, devotion, and unconditional love was never more prevalent than when Dad was battling cancer. Mom was constantly by his side when he was taking radiation and chemo treatment. In Dad’s final days she was by his bedside day and night. And in his final hours when she repeated that she loved him, Dad’s reply was “I love you too Mom, always have and always will.”
Mabel and Don raised four kids: Harvey, Judy, Cheryl, and Ross. All four children were born when Mom and Dad were living in the one-bedroom home that had originally been the homestead house Dad’s parents lived in. There was no indoor plumbing or running water. In 1962, a new home was built with the conveniences of indoor plumbing and running water.
Don and Mabel raised their kids with the ranching values of hard work, honesty, and perseverance. They taught them right from wrong, to have respect for your elders, and not to swear.
If raising their own four was not enough, you would often find their nephews and nieces at their table and lending a helping hand with the ranch work. Mabel and Don had many, many special memories and stories of those escapades!!! Special relationships were forged at that time and those special relationships have stood the test of time and remained intact throughout the decades.
Mabel lived 96 years on Alkali Creek with 72 of those years in her home on the McPherson homestead. Devoted family members provided love and comfort to Mabel when dementia and physical ailments struck, extending the time she was able to stay in her own home. Dad, we did our best to take care of Mom and keep her on the ranch as long as we could.
Mabel Marie (Keffeler) McPherson, 98, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away gently on June 17, 2025.
Thanks to all who brought love and laughter into her life.
We are so grateful for her loving presence in our lives. We will miss her beyond words and will continue to strive to make her proud.
We take great comfort knowing Dad & Mom are together again.
Rest in Peace Mom.
Mabel is survived by son, Harvey (KT) McPherson, Rapid City, SD, daughter, Judy (Alan) Morris, Rapid City, SD, daughter, Cheryl (Burt) Cross, Sturgis, SD, and son, Ross (Kathi) McPherson, Hereford, SD. Seven grandchildren, Brian (Jody), Brad, Justin, Megan, Jayme (Dusty), Cody (Brooke), and Nicole. Fourteen great-grandchildren, Bradyn, Molly, Brady, Breckin, Hudson, Holden, Hayes, Madison, Macie, Maverick, Tenleigh, Oakleigh, Braxtyn and Haizley, siblings, Murrin Keffeler and Rose Marie Van Sickel, sisters-in-law, Darliene Keffeler, Betty Keffeler, and Dorothy McPherson. She is also survived by daughter-in-law, Nancy McPherson, “adopted daughter” Ninu Brink Spring and “adopted son” Mark Black.
She was preceded in death by husband Don, parents, John and Mary Keffeler; siblings and their spouses, Laura (George) May, Bernice (Fae) Hanks, Charles “Bud” (Mae) Keffeler, Mae (Dan) Dingeman, Art Keffeler, Marian (Jim) Clinch, Maurice Keffeler, Irene (Ben) Long, and Ralph Keffeler, and a sister at birth; brother-in-law, Kenny Van Sickel, and sister-in-law, Shirley Keffeler; mother and father-in-law, Eugene & Ida Mcpherson; brothers-in-laws and their spouses, Earl (Celeste), Arnold (Maxine), Joe (Elma), Glenn (Rosiland), and Dale McPherson; sisters-in-laws and their spouses, Edna (Vernon) Watkins and Mae & (Charles “Bud”) Keffeler.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the Hereford Volunteer Fire Department and St Jude Children’s Hospital.
