Mabel (Southerland) Hightshue

Mabel (Southerland) Hightshue

July 1, 1923 – October 26, 2019

MEMORIAL SERVICE: Wednesday, October 30^th at 5:30pm at the West Center Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to Louisville Care Center or Lifespring Church in Bellevue.

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Mabel Rose (Southerland) Hightshue was born on July 1, 1923 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Joseph and Sarah (Curtsinger) Southerland.  Mabel entered into rest on October 26^th at the Louisville Care Center, Louisville, Nebraska, at the age of 96 years.

Mabel was hired following high school by her future husband (Joseph) Clayton Hightshue at a small factory called Senn Corp in Old Augusta, Indiana.   This occurred during WWII.  She made intervalometers for bomb timing devices (a true “Rosie the Riveter”).  Mabel married Joseph Clayton “Clay” Hightshue on Sep 2, 1944 at Crooked Creek Baptist Church near New Augusta, IN. During the first year, she accompanied Clay to his U.S Navy assignments and loved it.  After the war and Clay’s separation from the Navy, they moved back to New Augusta (where they lived for the next 46 years).  She then stayed at home to raise their two children, Allida Kay and Joe Kent, and went back to work at the Pike Township school cafeteria part time when the children entered school.  Later she joined Addison Wesley Publishers for a 20+ year career where she was a supervisor.  She was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary for the New Augusta Fire Department.  She and Clayton also enjoyed activities during this time such as boating, fishing, caring for her and Clayton’s parents, as well as socializing with family, their church members and friends.  They were very close friends with a group of people with whom they played Euchre (cards) for more than 35 years. Her other hobbies were needlepoint and the detailed painting of the bird houses Clay made.

After retiring from Addison Wesley, she and Clayton continued to travel and tour by visiting her daughter and son wherever they might be.  They went to Tennessee, Germany, Italy, Canada, Florida, Illinois, Nebraska, and Arizona.  These visits included her favorite activities of spending time with their five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Mabel accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at Cadle Tabernacle tent meetings in Indianapolis, Indiana. She lived a life of service, always making herself available to provide food and transportation to friends and neighbors who were ill or in need. Mabel was a member of Bethel Methodist Church, North Suburban Baptist Church, Indianapolis, IN then LifeSpring Church in Bellevue, NE.

Mabel was a friend to all she knew, especially her family.  She always had a positive attitude and giving heart to neighbors, school and church associates, and family.  With her great sense of humor, she enjoyed being kidded and would have fun returning the jabs. She had a unique vocabulary: “O My Lanta” or “Mercy Me” were among her favorite responses that left others smiling when they heard them.

Mabel is survived by daughter, Allida Lentz and husband Steve of Papillion NE; son, Joseph K. Hightshue and wife Diana of Phoenix AZ; grandchildren: Kari Sidener and husband Mark of Plattsmouth NE, Adrienne Nemeth of Phoenix AZ, Steve Lentz and wife Laura of Omaha NE, Justin Hightshue and wife Carolyn of Phoenix, Elizabeth Walters and husband Brent of Scottsdale AZ; great-grandchildren: Alexandra and Ariana Nemeth, Christian and Colton Sidener, Ella, Farrah, and Sofia Walters, and Kendal and Caden Lentz, Roman and James.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clayton; parents; brothers: Jim, Raymond, and Del; and sister, Dora May Weber.