MAZOMANIE – Mabelle “Mibs” R. Ewald, formerly Rhea, died after a brief illness on Aug. 15, 2019 under the compassionate care of Aster Assisted Living in Monroe and Monroe Clinic Hospice. She was born in Chicago, Ill. on July 17, 1922 to Joseph E. Rhea, Sr. and Mabelle Rhea.

She graduated from high school in Chicago and worked for a period of time before enlisting in the Marine Corps in July 1943 at age 21. She served as paymaster clerk in Arlington, Va. and at Camp Pendleton, Calif. She was discharged on Dec. 22, 1945 at the rank of sergeant.

She married W.J. “Wally” Ewald in April 1946 and they moved to a home in the Town of Berry in 1953 where they raised three sons; John “Scott” (Carol) of Snohomish, Wash., Brian (Claire) of Menominee, Mich. and Rex (Sharon) of Monroe, Wis.

She worked in Madison at Ohio Medical Products, later Ohmeda, for 22 years beginning as a secretary and advancing to more responsible positions. At age 60 she began her second “career” as an EMT at District 1 EMS where she worked as a first responder in the northern part of the Town of Berry for 21 years. For 16 of her 21 years, she produced the District 1 EMS newsletter.

She enjoyed many things including photography, sewing, computers, bird watching, fishing, traveling, family gatherings, Elder Hostels (14 of them) and an occasional auction or estate sale. She hosted an annual neighborhood garage sale for over 20 years. She loved her rural home and would sometimes find a snake in the yard which she enjoyed showing to family and neighbors.

She was a member of The Berry Chicks, the local Mother’s Club, Women Marines Association, Women Veterans Association and the Cross Plains American Legion Post 245. She participated in the inaugural Badger Honor Flight in April 2010. She was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Marxville, where she assumed many different roles.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her brothers, Robert Rhea and Joseph E. Rhea, Jr.; and brother-in-law, Don Szopinski.

She is survived by her three sons; a sister, Ethlyn Szopinski of Lubbock, Texas; sister-in-law, Lorrie Rhea of Raleigh, N.C.; grandchildren, Jennifer Ewald of Madison, Jeffrey Ewald of Monroe and Michael Ewald of Sydney, Australia; and great-granddaughter, Isabella Esquivel of Madison.

A celebration of a life well lived will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Badger Honor Flight, District 1 EMS or the World War II Memorial.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb
Funeral & Cremation Care

500 N. Eighth Street

(608) 437-5077