Mabel E. Riley

PLEASANT PRAIRIE/OREGON-Mabel E. Riley, age 98, of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., passed away on Thursday, March 10, 2016. Mabel was born on March 25, 1917 in Kenosha, the daughter of Peter and Anna (Larsen) Jacobsen. Mabel "Grandma Charlie" was one of the most interesting women one could ever meet. She was raised in the red brick house on Sheridan Rd, a house built by her father that rested on four acres of land with a creek running through the back of the property. After uniting in marriage to Richard Riley, they made the red brick house their home and raised two children: Dennis and Diane in addition to Sandy, the German Shepherd. Mabel loved to share her rich history of teaching in a one room, eight grade school house. She treasured her teaching career, adored her students and was always proud that her quick thinking saved the life of a student when his appendix burst at school. Retirement didn't slow Mabel down; besides cheering for the Packers and listening to Frank, Elvis & Big Band, she continued her weekly routine of baking, hair appointments and shopping trips to Regency Mall. Mabel could also be found outside admiring her beloved oak trees, raking leaves and mowing her lawn. She cherished and loved her family and enjoyed traveling to visit her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren for holidays, birthdays and other celebrations. Mabel always hosted Christmas dinner and had the best cooking a family could share over several generations. At 92, Mabel moved into assisted living near her grandsons, allowing her great-grandchildren the opportunity to know this wonderful and amazing woman. Mabel is survived by her grandchildren, Tony (Shelley) Mancusi of New Glarus, Wis., Todd (Tina) Mancusi of Oregon, Wis., Troy (Heidi) Mancusi of Brooklyn, Wis., Heather (Tim) Root, Lakemoor, Ill. and Jon (Tina) Riley of Stronghurst, Ill.; six great-grandchildren: Evan, Brynn, Mitchell, Isabella, Kaitlyn and Brett. She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Anna; her husband, Richard; her children, Dennis Riley and Diane (Riley) Mancusi; her brother, Richard Jacobsen; and sisters, Hazel Jacobsen and Lilian (Jacobsen) Hill. A special thank you to all who cared for Grandma over the past seven years: The Heights, Main Street Quarters, UW Health Geriatrics and Agrace HospiceCare, but especially to Joanne the hospice volunteer and the Sienna Meadows staff for respecting, caring and loving grandma for who she was. She will be greatly missed but forever held in our hearts. Mabel's legacy will continue on when you thank a teacher! A private service will be held in April at the Oak Hall Cemetery in Fitchburg, Wis. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Oregon Funeral & Cremation Care 1150 Park Street (608)835-3515