Mabel was in a nursing home for the last 10 years or so having broken a hip and eventually having both legs removed at the knee. Her name is initially written as Mabel Minne but for the christening it is changed to Minnie.
She was affectionately known by all as "Aunt Mabel." She suffered from allergies and always had a hankie in her pocket or hand. She loved candy and frequently had pieces of it stored in her pocket.
She cooked for all 9 at 5701 Allentown Road (Offutts, Thomas', and herself.)
She did the washing, including hanging the clothes on the line outside. She had a small red wagon that she used for carrying the clothes basket. She would make the beds each morning for the Thomas' except for Saturday when we were expected to make them ourselves. She shared her bed and bedroom with the clothes for the family. Storage space was lacking and so one side of her bed was devoted to children's clothing which had been folded and left there. The kitchen was her domain and you were allowed in it in the evening to cook desserts but she insisted on cleaning up your mess. She was continually aggravated by Claude Offutt who teased her until Cora stepped in and asked him to stop.
I remember when we had guests as meals and Claude would say: "Don't pass that to him, we won't have enough for tomorrow." Mabel would ALWAYS fall for it and argue with him. Sometimes he would say: "Mabel, go upstairs." She would angrily reply: "I won't, I won't." She would allow you to snitch a few fried potatoes from the pan on the stove when she took it as a complement that they were very GOOD. She would argue with you if you were in her way. She was extremely strong and rarely complained although, looking back, she worked hard. She enjoyed the soap operas and felt it was real. She frequently would chastise the "bad guy" and encourage the "good guy" and "tell" their secrets and wonder why they couldn't see what was happening when she could.
Hausmann bible: Mabel Hausmann: "This is to certify the christening of her by the Rev. Ames of the Methidist-Episcable church, North Capitol and K St., N.E." There is no date given. Mabel fell when she was a young girl and was not expected to walk again. Her father massaged her legs daily and eventually she walked but was always a bit unsteady on her feet. Mabel never married.
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