Mabel H. Lokken

Sheldon, Iowa

Mabel H. Lokken, age 95, of Sheldon passed away on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Sanford Sheldon Senior Care. Her celebration of life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheldon with Rev. Christopher Martin, officiating.

To view Mabel’s service via livestream please visit: https://www.facebook.com/SheldonStPaulLutheranChurch

Burial will be at a later date at Concordia Lutheran Cemetery in Crosby, North Dakota.

Visitation with family present will be from 10 to 10:45 A.M. on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheldon.

Arrangements are under the care of the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.

IN LOVING MEMORY

MABEL H. LOKKEN

BORN

June 24, 1930

Crosby, North Dakota

PASSED AWAY

January 2, 2026

Sheldon, Iowa

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

11:00 A.M. Thursday, January 8, 2026

St. Paul Lutheran Church; Sheldon, Iowa

Rev. Christopher Martin - Officiating

MUSIC

“Come Just As You Are”

“As The Deer/Beautiful Savior Medley”

“Amazing Grace”

“How Beautiful”

Played by: Mabel Lokken

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS

Mabel’s Grandchildren

FINAL RESTING PLACE

At a later date

Concordia Lutheran Cemetery

Crosby, North Dakota

After today’s service, relatives and friends are invited to join the family in the fellowship hall of the church.

Arrangements are under the care of the

Vander Ploeg Funeral Home; Sheldon, Iowa.

Mabel Helen Lokken the daughter of Herman and Bertha (Ringdahl) Larson, was born on June 24, 1930, in Crosby, North Dakota. She received her education and graduated from Crosby High School. She continued her education at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota for music. Also, being invited to the Music Conservatory in Chicago for two years. On June 21, 1953, she was united in marriage to Milo Lokken in Crosby, North Dakota. After their marriage the couple lived in North Dakota and South Dakota until moving to Sheldon where Milo taught at Northwest Iowa Vocational School (NCC). He preceded Mabel in death on March 13, 1975. Mabel worked at Sheldon Hospital as a CNA, East Elementary as an aide, the library and Village Northwest where she was one of the founders of the Village Singers as the director. After her retirement at 65, she continued to direct them until she turned 82.

Mabel was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheldon. She loved to read and go camping. She owned the same piano since the age of 19 and cherished it her whole life. She accompanied Songshine and Prairie Singers. She also accompanied her daughters, granddaughters and numerous young singers at contests, weddings and funerals. At church she accompanied the Senior choir and really enjoyed duets with Arlyce Oosterhuis and Carleen Kehrberg. She continued playing at the nursing home for church services and events.

Mabel passed away on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Sanford Senior Care at the age of 95 years, 6 months, and 8 days.

Left to cherish her memory are her three daughters, Marsha and her husband Larry Bock of Lafayette, Louisiana, Kari Pedersen of Sheldon and Sonya Lokken of Primghar; grandchildren, Eric (Rachel) Bock, Greg (Mary Hall) Bock, Danielle (Tony) Landry, Ashley (Cameron) Kramer, Nicole (Cole) Craig, Liz (Drew) Green, Brooke (Clay Raybon) Tomlinson, and Katie (Anthony) Schueller; sixteen great grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

Mabel was preceded in death by her parents, son-in-law, Timothy Pedersen, grandson, Keaton, two brothers, Tony (Mildred) Larson and Melvin (Mable) Larson.