Obituary: Mabel Irene Stroud Edmundson

As the hymn "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" played and a prayer was whispered in her ear, Mabel Irene Stroud Edmundson was embraced by Jesus in heaven. Mabel Stroud Edmundson, 92, of Nampa, died at home January 14, 2012. Funeral services were held, Tuesday, January 17, Cloverdale Funeral Home, Boise, Idaho.

Mabel was born February 27, 1919 at the family ranch home near Okarche, Oklahoma, to William W. and Harriett M. Fox Stroud. She graduated from El Reno High School and Oklahoma A & M College (Oklahoma State) with a B.S. in Home Economics. She met James A. (Al) Edmundson in the college 4-H club and they married July 24, 1942. During their 61 year marriage they raised four daughters: Mary, Margaret, Martha, & Minnie.

Mabel started her career teaching and working as a home economist in Oklahoma and Kansas. In 1962, she began working for the Nevada Cooperative Extension Service, University of Nevada-Reno until she retired in 1983. She was a highly respected home economist receiving the National Association of Extension Home Economists Distinguished Service Award and UNR Professor Emeritus. She also served terms as President of the Nevada Extension Home Economics Association & the Nevada Extension Agents Association.

Throughout the years she taught countless young people to sew and master life skills. Recently, several had contacted her to express appreciation and recount a personal memory. Even those who had brief encounters with her readily embraced her quiet wit and endless smile.

She was preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters: Marion, Norman, John, Ernest, Wayne Luther, Ivy, Marie and Frances. Al and their daughter Margaret Edmundson Armstrong both passed in 2004.

Survivors include daughters Mary (La Vern) Gomez, of West Point, Calif.; Bill Armstrong, of Englewood, Colo.; Minnie (Bill) Muniz, of Nampa, ID; Martha Edmundson (Tony) Key, of Denver; grandchildren Brenda Hurley Stuvek of Lynnwood, Wash., Deanna Hurley Young, of Hayden Lake, Idaho, Leah Hurley Kennedy of Temecula, Calif.., Colby Inzer of Pocatello, Idaho, Christa Inzer Castillo, of Nampa, Idaho, Spencer Armstrong of Gunnison, Colo.; and great-grandchildren Jesi Stuvek, Lauren and Autumn Young, Blake Kennedy, Kenneth and Adeline Inzer, and Emilane Castillo.

The family especially appreciates the loving assistance given by Denise Rae for several years and the special laughter and tender care by Janet Schaadt in recent months.

Mabel and Al were active members of First Baptist Church and the Senior Center in Carson City, Nevada.

Donations may be made to the Carson City Senior Citizens Center or Meals on Wheels program, 911 Beverly Dr., Carson City, NV 89706; the National 4-H Council, c/o Wachovia Bank, P.O. Box 75675 Baltimore, MD 21275-5375 (online info@4-h.org, or call 301.961.3801) Baptist Missions Foundation of Nevada.