Mabel Schraufnagel

MADISON - Mabel Emilie (Kust) Schraufnagel passed away, with her wits intact, on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, at St. Mary's Hospital, at age 95.

Mabel was born July 15, 1920 in Luxemburg, WI to Joseph and Anna (Mleziva) Kust. She lived on a farm near Pilsen, WI and attended a one-room school house and high school. In 1935, the family moved to Madison. Her mother ran a rooming house for male students at UW–Madison. Mabel graduated from Central High School in 1938 and received a BA degree in Botany in 1942 from University of Wisconsin–Madison. While a graduate student, she was a research assistant, in the UW-Madison Entomology Department. Her thesis was on pea aphids. In 1948, she was elected for membership in Sigma XI, the Scientific Research Society, and continued as a full emeritus member. Mabel met the love of her life, Francis (Pat) Schraufnagel, a renter, and married on April 18, 1949. Pat completed his BS degree in Chemical Engineering in 1950 and began working for the State of Wisconsin, moving with family to Sparta and Wisconsin Rapids, returning to Madison in 1958. Mabel’s mother Anna owned and lived in a duplex on Vilas Avenue. Mabel’s family moved into the lower flat. Anna’s companionship was key for all in the family. For over 50 years, Mabel loved where she lived and the closeness to Edgewood College, where she and Pat took senior classes.

She was a caring wife and caregiver, making meals to help her husband’s changing health needs and, after moving to assisted care, continued as his advocate. She was a loving mother, sharing love through cooking and well-selected gifts. She was best friends with Katherine, spouse of her husband’s younger brother.

She loved gardening, listening to public radio, reading, and her cat. She had a passion for knowledge and scientific and religious inquiry and continued her interest in acquiring knowledge until the day she passed.

Mabel was preceded in death by parents, Anna and Joseph, husband Pat, and brothers Matt and Leonard. Surviving her are daughter, Nancy Eileen Schraufnagel of Madison; son Richard (Dick) Allen Schraufnagel, wife Patricia (Kasten), and grandson Mark Kasten of Buffalo Grove, IL; grandson Peter Kasten Schraufnagel, wife Jaime (Montgomery) and great grandchildren Benjamin and Katie of Wauconda, IL.

Special thanks to the people of St James Church, for their outreach and care, and the staff of Sebring Assisted Care Residence, for their wonderful care and comfort. Memorials may be made to St. James Church or Edgewood College.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, at Good Shephard Catholic Parish at the St. James Church, 1128 St. James Court, Madison with Monsignor Thomas Baxter officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass. Burial will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery and lunch at the church.