Magdalena Mastel

Magdalena Gefre Mastel, 93, died September 27, 2011, at Eventide - Hi-Acres Manor, Jamestown, ND of natural causes.

Magdalena Mastel was born April 16, 1918 on the family farm near Hague, ND, the daughter of Carl and Elizabeth Gefre. She attended a rural country school where she was instrumental in also teaching English to her German speaking classmates and additionally taught a catechism class.

The Gefre family was recognized for their hospitality and genuine sincerity towards others, and this prominent character trait would become identifiable with the entire Gefre family and would later become especially characteristic with the friends and neighbors of Magdalena Mastel throughout her lifetime.

Being a faithful servant, Magdalena worked as a caretaker for Father Denzel at St Aloysius Church, near Hague, ND and was awarded an automobile, an extreme luxury at that time, for her diligence and sacrificial giving in her ministry with the church.

On August 8, 1939, she married Frank Mastel at the St. Aloysius Church in Hague. They farmed in Emmons County, near Hague, until 1944 when they bought a farm near Edgeley, ND. Along with full time work on the family farm, Frank and Magdalena milked dairy cows by hand and began tilling the soil manually with horse drawn farm equipment. Magdalena also loved gardening and was very generous in sharing her produce.

She spent much of her time canning, baking, cooking and sewing.

Survivors include 8 children: Donna (Phil) Haas, Arvada, CO, Mag Mastel, Arvada, CO, Dianne (JC ) Crockett, Aurora, CO, Larry (Belle) Mastel, Jamestown, ND, Francis (MaryAnn) Mastel, Rantoul, KS, Terry (Terry Lea) Mastel, Mandan, ND, Izzy (Ellen) Mastel, Jamestown, ND, Monica (Darel) Leedy, Arvada, CO; 28 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 7 sisters, Katherine, Lena, Mary, Sr. Rosalind (Margaret), Rosalinda, Angeline, and Bernice; and one sister-in-law, Roni Mastel, Edgeley, ND.

Magdalena is preceded in death by her husband, Frank; 2 sons, Charlie and an infant son Lawrence; her parents; 5 brothers Adam, John, Peter, Marcus, and an infant brother, Lawrence.

Eucharist of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m, Saturday, October 1, 2011 at Transfiguration Catholic Church, Edgeley, ND.

Family will receive guests: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 30, 2011 at Williams-Lisko Funeral Chapel, Jamestown, ND.

Prayer Service: 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 30, 2011 at Williams-Lisko Funeral Chapel, Jamestown, ND.

Burial: Mount Calvary Cemetery, Edgeley, ND.