Mabel Julia Gunning

Passed away peacefully, January 16, 2021, at age 107 in Liberty Lake, Washington, after a life well-lived and filled with much love. She will always be remembered as a loving mother, wife, daughter, sister, grandmother, child of God and shining light in all of our lives. She was born January 8, 1914 at Hartington, Nebraska to Norwegian immigrants Julius (Bernt) and Antoinette Wangen Grindvold. The family moved to a farm near Circle, Montana when she was a teenager, and she loved to recount wonderful stories of her family’s life and adventures there. Mabel had a venturous spirit, working throughout eastern Montana until moving to Tacoma, Washington in 1941. While there she worked as a nurse’s aide, housekeeper and “Rosie the Riveter” at Boeing, and where she & friends enjoyed attending dances held for departing soldiers. Following World War II she moved to Spokane, met her husband Jack Gunning, and moved to Davenport, Washington where they raised four daughters. Mabel loved keeping a warm welcoming home and spending time in the kitchen making delicious meals and treats for family, guests and church events. She was a beautiful seamstress, skilled needleworker, lover of puzzles and lovely letter writer. Once they became “empty nesters” Jack & Mabel enjoyed traveling throughout the western US and Canada, stopping along the way to visit family & friends. She remained active in the community and Zion Lutheran Church until moving to Spokane Valley in 2016. All who knew her have stories to share of her happy, loving & humorous nature.

Mabel leaves behind daughters Glenda (Spike) Millman, Julie Giroux, Sherri (Al) Grochowski and Darla Gunning, grandchildren Erin (James) Young, Christie (Mark) Marey, Aimee Giroux Rodrigues, Ann (Chris) Crissman, Nicole Giroux, Marysa (Grant) Loyle, Robert Michael Giroux, Shanon (Julio) Rodriguez and Jason (Stacey) Millman, and twelve great-grandchildren. She is survived by sisters Viola Byers and Rosalie Massar, cousin John Grindvold, numerous nieces, nephews and generations of an extended family. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Jack, mother Antoinette, father Julius, second mom Marie, brothers Wayne and Joseph, and sisters Borghild Johnson, Alma Dethlefsen and Eileen Wolski.

A family graveside will be held later this spring at Mt. View Cemetery, Davenport, WA with a celebration of life at a later date. Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church or Lincoln Hospital Foundation in Davenport, Washington. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.strate-funeral.com. Strate Funeral Home, Davenport, WA is serving the family.