Mabel Westphal, 99, of Brookings, SD, and formerly of Tracy, passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at The Neighborhoods at Brookview. Mabel’s Funeral Service was Wednesday at the Tracy United Methodist Church in Tracy. Burial followed at the Tracy Community Cemetery.
Mabel Lois Todt was born on March 12, 1926, to Louis and Matilda (Hoepner) Todt in Posen Township near Wood Lake, Minnesota. She grew up on a farm by Wood Lake and would walk a mile to where she attended country school until 4th grade and then went to Wood Lake Elementary to continue her education and graduated from Wood Lake High School in 1944.
Mabel met her husband Henry (better known as Tim) Westphal at her cousin’s and his cousin’s wedding, they ended up being double related. Mabel and Tim Westphal were married February 20, 1949. They farmed a ½ mile east of Amiret for 32 years and moved to Tracy in 1981. They maintained a loving marriage of almost 41 years up until Tim’s passing in 1990. They enjoyed dancing to polka music. One of Mabel’s favorite Waltzes was Circling Pigeons which reminded her of her father as well as that was a favorite of his. Together their favorites were Waltz Across Texas, New-Time South, and the Home Coming Waltz. They also enjoyed spending time with their good friends going to dances, playing 500, and having many picnics together.
Together they raised one daughter Mary Jo and eventually Mabel welcomed Chris Wallenberg to the family in 1997. The crowning glory for Mabel was the arrival of grandchildren. From babysitting, to attending birthday parties and school performances, dance recitals, baseball games, etc. Mabel delighted in her grandchildren, Courtney and Blake. She enjoyed everything about being a grandma. She made it a point to be with her grandchildren. In June, she became a proud great-grandmother to Adalynn Richarz. Even though she only got to meet her once, she loved her immensely and was proud to have four generations of family.
Mabel cherished her friendships with classmates, neighbors, church members, and especially her family. Her friendships encompassed all aspects of life, and each was special to her. She loved going to class reunions, entertaining with friends, having long conversations with anyone and especially with her nieces and nephews, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Mabel enjoyed playing cards in two 500 clubs, sewing and knitting, reading, looking at cookbooks, cooking and baking – she will always be remembered for her peach and apple pies and cookies which her family enjoyed eating, listening to the radio and cassettes, planting flower planters for Mary Jo, started bowling in 1962, and bowled until she was 90, and traveling with her friends. She loved nature - listening to the birds, being outside in the sun, and flowers. She was a member of the Garden Gate Flower Club in Tracy. Mabel also volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Food Shelf, hospital gift shop, folded newsletters for church, helped with church circles and was an active member in the Tracy United Methodist Church. She also attended church at Brookings First United Methodist Church.
Mabel moved to Brookings in 2008 to be closer to her family.
Survivors include daughter, Mary Jo and her husband Chris Wallenberg; granddaughter, Courtney Jo (Tristan) Richarz; grandson, Blake Daniel Wallenberg; great-granddaughter, Adalynn Richarz; nieces and nephews: Auggie (Carol) Hinz, Dale (Carol) Hinz, Dorothy (Gene) Jeseritz, Lynn (Karl) Geistfeld and their families.
Mabel was preceded in death by her husband, Tim; parents, Louis and Matilda Todt; step-mother, Clara Todt; sister, Katherine Hinz and her husband Leo; and her halfsister, Deloris Kruse and her husband Arlie Kruse.
