Mabel Ruth Hlavka

Obituary

Mabel Ruth (Bonniwell) Hlavka was born on May 21, 1921, to Glenn and Laura (Gosswiller) Bonniwell. She was baptized at the Congregational Church in Hutchinson. Mabel attended a country school through the 8th grade and then worked numerous jobs as a housekeeper for other families or doing manual labor in the creamery in Owatonna, Minnesota, during WWII.

On May 21, 1947, Mabel was united in marriage to Donald Hlavka at the Congregational Church in Hutchinson. Mabel and Donald made their home on the family farm in Rich Valley Township until 1997 when they moved to Silver Lake. They raised four children and were blessed with 9 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Mabel and Donald shared almost 60 years of marriage until Donald passed away on April 11, 2007.

In addition to being a loving wife, mother and homemaker, Mabel helped on the family farm. She was an active member of Faith Presbyterian Church in Silver Lake since her marriage to Don. As her ministry to the church, Mabel had been an Elder, Deacon and member of the Presbyterian women for many years. Mabel and Don volunteered faithfully at the McLeod County Food Shelf. She was also a member of the Farm Bureau Women’s Group, County Home Extension and the Silver Lake American Legion Auxiliary Post #141 over her lifetime.

Mabel enjoyed baking, especially her various Christmas cookies, stamp collecting, coin collecting and putting puzzles together. She cherished the time spent with her family and friends.

Mabel entered her eternal home on Thursday, December 19, 2019, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson, Minnesota, at the age of 98 years, 6 months and 28 days.

Blessed be her memory.

Mabel is survived by:
Daughters, Jackie Paul and her husband, DuWayne, of Alexandria, MN,
Barbara Wawrzyniak and her husband, Harlan, of Silver Lake, MN;
Son, Jim Hlavka and his wife, Candy, of Lester Prairie, MN;
8 Grandchildren, Katie Robertson and her husband, Dan,
Chris Paul and his wife, Corinne,
Suzy Paul,
Denise Hlavka-Adams and her husband, Bill,
Jamie Degen and her husband, Dustin,
Scott Wawrzyniak,
Kristi Stiles and her husband, Brian,
Marc Wawrzyniak;
13 Great Grandchildren;
Brother, Clark Bonniwell and his wife, Marcia, of Casa Grande, AZ;
Son-In-Law, Andy Gaffaney of Forney, TX;
Nieces, Nephews, Other relatives and many friends.

Mabel is preceded in death by her Parents, Glenn and Laura Bonniwell; Husband, Donald Hlavka; Daughter, Fern Lane Gaffaney; Son-In-Law, Douglas Lane; Grandson, Daniel Lane; Sisters and Brothers-In-Law, Verna and Ed Karg, Nettie and Milton Studeman.

Memorials preferred to the McLeod County Food Shelf or the charity of your choice.