Obit of Alexander, Mabel Hovdahl - Oklahoma County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 20 Nov 2004 Return to Oklahoma County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/oklahoma/oklahoma.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== Alexander, Mabel Hovdahl Mabel Hovdahl Alexander, 82, devoted wife and mother, died August 5, 2002. Born January 14, 1920, in Antelope, Montana, Mabel lived a full, rich and meaningful life. Nurse, World War II veteran, airline stewardess, wife, mother, community volunteer, graduate student and author were but a few of her many and varied accomplishments. She was known as Jackie during most of her early years. Mabel attended the Columbus School of Nursing at Great Falls, Montana, graduating as a registered nurse in 1941. While serving as a stewardess with Western Airlines on the Salt Lake City to Lethbridge, Canada route she volunteered for active duty with the United States Army Medical Corp in January 1943. She served at Fort Lewis, Washington, and later with the 83rd General Hospital in the European Theater of Operations seeing duty in both Great Britain and France where she rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant in February 1945. She was discharged from duty the same year. She found time while stationed in Wales to attend short courses at Balliol College, Oxford, England and Stratford-on-Avon. While in Europe, she met, and later married Alvin 'Alex' Wesley Alexander on October 19, 1946, in San Bernardino, California. Married for 56-years, Mabel and Alvin, a career United States Air Force and federal employee, had the opportunity to travel throughout the United States and Mexico. Mabel, while not in practice kept her nursing license current, and actively raised three sons while serving as a community volunteer, Sunday school teacher, Cub Scout Master and at times, baseball coach. She also found time to paint, write and publish poetry. With Alex's retirement in 1982 they moved to Oklahoma where Mabel returned to school and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and Masters Degree in History- Southwest Studies from the University of Central Oklahoma. Since graduation she has authored a number of articles on the history of Native Americans. A history on the contribution of Oklahoman's to music is in production now with the Oklahoma Heritage Association and will be published this fall as part of the Oklahoma Horizon Series. She was an active member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees; Oklahoma Historical Society; Epworth Villa Association; and Quail Creek United Methodist Church. She is survived by her husband Alex and her three sons — Michael, his wife Michele and grandchildren Alexia, Aaron and Adam of Delaware; Patrick and his wife Linda of Oklahoma City; and William, his wife Susan and grandson Joshua of Oklahoma City and Virginia. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father and mother John and Mary Hovdahl and brothers and sisters, Bessie, John, Hilman and Milo. A memorial service will be held 1 PM, Friday, August 9, 2002 at Quail Springs United Methodist Church, 14617 N. Penn. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Epworth Villa Benevolent Fund, 14901 North Penn, Oklahoma City, OK 73134. Published in the Oklahoman from 8/7/2002 - 8/9/2002. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Oklahoma County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/oklahoma/oklahoma.html