Mabel D. Longhorn

Mabel Longhorn, age 90, of New Hampton, Iowa, entered her eternal rest on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at New Hampton Nursing and Rehab. Mabel Doris Wait was born on August 21, 1921, the middle child of Leon and Olive (Bartlett) Wait on the family farm in Plainfield, Iowa. She lived in Bremer County until 1927, when the family moved to her grandfather’s farm near Nashua, Iowa. She attended Pearl Rock School until going to Nashua High School graduating with the class of 1938. After graduating she helped her parents on the farm until her marriage to James B. Longhorn on June 13, 1941 at her parent’s farm. Early in their marriage they moved to New Hampton, IA were they owned and operated Longhorn Radio and Electric. In 1952 they purchased a farm north of New Hampton; the two worked side by side in the farming operation. On March 10, 1946, Mabel and Jim were baptized and began their membership in the First United Methodist Church in New Hampton. Mabel was a 4H leader for 10 years. Her memberships included Chickasaw County Home Economics for 9 years, Jacksonville Happy Homemaker Club over 30 years, United Methodist women group for years, the Heritage Club and a former member of I.O.O.F. She served her church for many years as a Sunday school teacher, numerous church committees and was part of the founding committee of “The Little House of Bargains” (sponsored by the Methodist church) in New Hampton where she served countless volunteer hours. She and Jim were part of the neighborhood card club with many nights of card playing and years of lasting friendships formed. In November of 1977 she was honored to receive the Iowa Master Farm Homemaker award. Mabel and Jim believed in family. They raised their family in the Methodist church. Along with their own children; they instilled their teachings in many youth with their years of 4H leadership. The two were loyal supporters of the projects, dreams and goals of their children, always believing in them and there to lend a hand or a helpful word. Farming was the way of life, hard work and many long hours, provided the foundation for their legacy. Mabel resided on the family farm until September of 2011, when shortly after her 90th birthday she entered New Hampton Nursing and Rehab. She had a multitude of joys in her life: 63 years of marriage, the annual “Grandma Wait” picnic, the energy of the great grandkids always brought a smile to her face, she enjoyed telling of the successes of the grandchildren, and pleased that her and Jim’s five children brought the family values to their homes. One of those joys was that of the cardinal. She always had the bird feeders full and so loved the visits from her favorite “red” bird. Survivors include her children: Gary (Sharon) Longhorn of Waterloo, IA, Glen (Karen) Longhorn of Hawarden, IA, Roger (Flo) Longhorn of Breden-am-zee, Belgium, Janis Longhorn of Kansas City, Missouri and Roy Longhorn of Waterloo, IA. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren, her sister, Barbara Bigelow of Nashua, Iowa, 3 nephews and five nieces. She will be remembered by a host of friends, including her lifelong friend, Wilma Lamka, who she got to spend her final months with. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband James “Bud” Longhorn on October 6, 2004, her only brother Clark Wait and his wife Mildred, and a brother-in-law, Raymond Bigelow. Cemetery: Burial will be at New Hampton Cemetery in New Hampton. Memorials may be directed to the family. at Conway-Markham Funeral Home with a 7:00pm prayer service. Family will arrive at 4:00pm. Visitation will continue at the funeral home one hour prior to the service on Monday. at Conway-Markham Funeral Home in New Hampton with Jeff Nohava officiating.