Mabel Louise Tyree

Mabel Louise Tyree (nee: Rannow), passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, February 7, 2011 at Ridgewood Care Center. Mabel fought a courageous battle against Parkinson’s disease for the past 11 years.

   Mabel was born December 8, 1919 to Carl and Edna Rannow, in Racine, the second of six children. Mabel was raised in Racine, attending Knapp Elementary School, McKinley Middle School, and graduating from Washington Park High School in 1937. Mabel went on to attend St. Anthony’s Hospital School of Nursing in Rock Island, IL and St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in Racine. She provided private duty nursing care before she was married.

   Mabel married her sweetheart, Earl Tyree, on November 8, 1941 in Racine, WI, one month before war was declared, and began their life together. He preceded her in death on June 29, 2006. She was a devoted and loving mother to her five children, Kathy, Cyndy, Carol Sue (Suzi), Tom and Jeanne and a loving and supportive grandmother to her 10 grandchildren and 11 great- grandchildren.

   Mabel was a lifetime member of Evangelical United Methodist Church and was actively involved in the church taking part in Church Women United, Lucy’s Circle, and various committees. Mabel also served in the Carpenter’s Auxiliary of Racine as Vice President. She was involved with the PTA, was a Girl Scout Leader and a Meals on Wheels Volunteer. Mabel was an avid sewer and knitter, and made many of her children’s clothes, hats, mittens, and scarves. She loved to cook, bake, garden and can the vegetables and fruits of their garden. Mabel loved to read, listen to music, sing, and had a great sweet tooth for chocolate and ice cream.

   Mabel and Earl spent over 20 winters in Bradenton, Florida where they enjoyed sunny weather and made many good friends, especially Leon and Helen Hickey. They lived in the home that they built on Blaine Avenue for 55 years, then moving to Fountain Hills where many new friends were made. After Earl’s death, Mabel resided at Bay Pointe Assisted Living; for a short time with her daughter and son-in-law, Jeanne and Don; Harmony Assisted Living; and Ridgewood Care Center. More than anything, she loved spending time with her family and hosted many family dinners, picnics, and parties with Earl, her children and grandchildren.

   Mabel leaves to cherish her memory, much loved children Kathleen (Rev. Fred) Eisenhut, Huntley, Illinois, Cynthia (Tim) Eckblad, Racine, Carol(Bob) Haider, Racine, Thomas Tyree, Sausalito, California, Jeanne (Don) Tyree-Francis, Racine; special grandchildren, Fred, Joanna, Jason Eisenut, Brian(Amy), Andy (Rebecca), Chris (Christine) Eckblad, Beth (Matt) Tobler, Kevin Thomsen, Paul (Jesi Khadivi) Tyree-Francis, Sarah Tyree-Francis; and dear great- grandchildren Zachary, Rachel, and Rebecca Eckblad, Marley, Zoe, and Edie Eckblad, Nicholas and Carley Tobler, Alaina Thomsen, Carisa and Mitchell Tuffey; sister, Joy Nielson, of High Point, N. C., brother David (Pat) Rannow of Racine , sisters-in-law Elaine Tyree of Ontonagon, Michigan, Mayme (Alfred) Reed, Janice (James) Cash, and brother-in-law Weldon (Mickey) Tyree, all of Kentucky and many special nephews and nieces. Mabel was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Dorothy Rannow, Carol Gilsoul, her brother Raymond Rannow, her brothers-in-law, Robert, Daniel, Billy Clint and Jim Ed Tyree and Carl Gilsoul, her mother-in-law, Nellie Jackson, and an infant granddaughter, Jaclyn Sue Eckblad.

   Funeral services will be held at Evangelical United Methodist Church, 11th and Main, Saturday, February 12, 2011, 11:30 a.m. with Rev. Creighton Kaye and Rev. John Fleming officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. A private interment will take place in West Lawn Memorial Park.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Evangelical United Methodist Church or the Regional Parkinson’s Center in Milwaukee (945 North 12^th St, Milwaukee, WI 53233). 

   Mabel’s family wishes to thank her special angels, Rev. John Fleming and Peggy Eichelberger for their faithful visits, and her many caregivers, for the loving care provided over the past several years from Bay Pointe, Harmony, Ridgewood Care Center, Hospice Alliance, and Wheaton Franciscan Hospice.