Mabel H. Meier

Mabel H. Meier, a resident of Manitowoc, passed away on November 2, 2026, at the age of 99.

She was born on September 28, 1927, at home in rural Reedsville, to her parents Martin and Anna (Herzog) Labitzky. Mabel grew up speaking German and then became bilingual when she learned English from a neighbor girl at school. As a young lady, she worked at the Savoy Restaurant and Beerntsen's Candy Shop, and then when she was 19 years old, she married Edward Meier at Rockwood Lutheran Church on November 2, 1946.

They started their life together on a farm by Long Lake and then bought a tavern near Maribel. To supplement their income, Ed worked construction in the summers. During those months, Mabel opened the tavern in the morning so that Ed could close it at night. She was a hard-working proprietor of the tavern until the family eventually moved to Manitowoc. There, Mabel worked at Mirro and Foley’s until her retirement in 1999.

She was a member of the German Club and the Sängerbund, a German choral group. She attended Grace Lutheran Church, Rockwood Church, and then later in life joined Bethany Lutheran Church.

Mabel spent her winters with her son Ron’s family in Portland for many years. There, as a fast driver with somewhat of a lead foot, she was able to teach her grandkids the joys of driving stick shift. She also enjoyed a neighborhood walking group, and was always up for an impromptu stroll in the company of her friends.

At home, Mabel was a talented flower gardener and a near-fanatical cleaner who kept a meticulously tidy home. She liked to play card games like Sheepshead and Rummy, but her family will remember her as the Canasta Queen who rarely lost a game. Her family had to be careful about sending her birthday or Christmas gifts too far in advance, because she simply couldn’t wait to open them, and often opened gifts early if given the opportunity. She had a terrific sweet tooth throughout her life, and even at her age, would sneak out of bed to get a sweet treat. She loved chai tea, and when she went to Starbucks would request four pumps.

Mabel was not a selfish person. Before deciding upon something, she would always consider the other person or how it would affect other people. Known for her kindness, she would give anyone anything they needed. An excellent confidant, Mabel was able to keep things “in the vault.”

She was a fun, funny person and quite the character. Her family will cherish the many memories she left them with over all her years with them.

Mabel is survived by her sons Jerold (Mary) and Ronald (the late Retta) Meier; grandchildren Jason (Gretchen) Meier, Emilie (Drew) Drummond, Meghan (Ian) Ramirez, Elizabeth Meier, and Lucas Meier; great-grandchildren Jacob, Kayla, and Chloe Meier, Joslyn, Ryder, and Olivia Drummond, and Jordan Ramirez; sister-in-law Dorothy Labitzky; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Martin and Anna Labitzky, husband Edward Meier, daughter-in-law Retta Meier, and siblings Verona Meier, Norman Labitzky, and Elaine Klingeisen.

A Celebration of Mabel’s Life will be held at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center, 620 N. Water St., Manitowoc, on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 12 noon to 2:00 p.m. Refreshments will be available and a time is set aside to share memories and stories at 12:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, if desired, memorials in memory of Mabel may be made to the charity of your choice.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to the staff at Angelus Senior Living, especially Terry Rahn, RN, and her colleagues who went above and beyond the call of duty in caring for Mabel.