Mabel Estela Sharp, passed away peacefully at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre, Yorkton, SK on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at the age of 90 years. Mabel was born September 21, 1925 on the farm near Birch Hills, SK to Christian and Nicholina Mohn. Being the youngest of eleven brothers and sisters, Mabel was given the nickname Bubs. It had to do with her bubbly personality; always happy and looking on the bright side. She lived up to it all her life. Mabel moved with her parents and her two sisters, Louise and Hazel into Birch Hills in 1937, since the three youngest needed a high school education. She graduated there and in 1942 she and her two sisters went off to the city to attend Saskatoon Teachers college. Mabel had her first teaching position at Ben Loyal School at the young age of 17, barely older than the oldest children she was teaching. She transferred to Meskanaw school for another year. Both of these schools were close to home. In 1944, Mabel applied and was accepted for a post for a school teacher in a small country school named Stoney Coulee School in the rural area of Springside. Mabel room and boarded with the school superintendent, John Sharp Sr. and his wife, Marjorie. She never dreamed they would soon become her parents-in-law. Mabel met John Jr. at a country dance at the school, he was the handsome fiddle player, and oh could he dance! Mabel and John were married at the family home in Tiger Hills on October 15, 1946. They made their home a mile and a half from Stoney Coulee School in the old Charles Dunning farm. Mabel gave up her teaching job when she learned she was expecting their first child. In November of 1947, Mabel and John's first boy was born, David Angus. August, 1950 brought their second son, Kenneth Andrew and soon after a third son, Norman Stuart in May, 1952. Their daughter, Maureen Anne was born in November, 1956. Mabel was so proud of all her children. During Mabel's school years in Tiger Hills and Birch Hills, her brothers and sisters played ball. Mabel was very competitive in this sport and she and her two sisters Hazel and Louise played on the northern team that won the provincial women's softball championship two years running. She was the catcher and her sisters played 1st and 3rd. They were a force to be reckoned with she said. After Mabel was married, she taught CGIT, Sunday School in Willowbrook, volunteered for the United Way and coached the Springside 4-H Homecraft Softball them. Mabel was an avid curler and you could find her most weekends during the winter either in Springside or Willowbrook curling or cheering. Mabel made sure her children grew up playing sports and cards. The dishes were left till after dark so they could go play a game of badminton, 500 or scrub outside in the summer evenings. Many sports days saw her and John there cheering on their local team. Mom could heckle with the best! Ball was in her blood then and remained right till the present. Mabel was predeceased by her parents, Chris and Lena Mohn, parents-in-law, John Sr. and Marjorie Sharp and her husband of 52 years, John Angus Sharp, Jr.; her brothers and sisters Stanley, Palmer, Arthur, Clara, Oscar, Nina, George, Bernt, Louise and Hazel; her daughter-in-law, Nancy (Dave) Sharp, and many brothers and sisters-in-law. Mabel leaves to mourn her passing and celebrate her life her children, David Sharp, Ken and Diane Sharp, Norm and Sheila Sharp, and Maureen and Dave Wolchuk; grandchildren, Marty and Denise Sharp, Trevor Sharp, Terry Sharp, Scott Sharp, Lee Sharp and fiancé, Connor Hunt, David Wolchuk Jr., Heather Wolchuk, Shannon and Brett Schmidt, Andrew Wolchuk and friend, Markie Baziuk; her great grandchildren, Ashley Sharp, Raelynn Sharp, Haley Sharp and Emerson Schmidt along with many special nieces and nephews. All our family will carry Mom and Gramma in our hearts forever! Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 from the Springside Centennial Hall, Springside, SK with Duane Mohn officiating. Words of tribute and eulogy were shared by Mabel's daughter, Maureen Wolchuk and her granddaughter, Shannon Schmidt. Special Music was provided by Mr. Ray Sedley. The Interment Service followed in the Springside Town Cemetery with Marty Sharp, Terry Sharp, David Wolchuk, Jr., Scott Sharp, Andrew Wolchuk and Brett Schmidt serving as the casket bearers. The Honourary Pall bearers were Trevor Sharp, Heather Wolchuk, Shannon Schmidt, Lee Sharp & Connor Hunt, Ashley Sharp, Raelynn Sharp, Haley Sharp and Emerson Schmidt. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
