Mabel Lillian Masten, 103, peacefully passed away on June 21, 2025. She was born on December 2, 1921, on the family homestead in Dillon, Kansas to Christian and Ernestine (Pjesky) Pschigoda. She grew into adulthood during the Great Depression and was very proud to be the first in her family to graduate from Hope High School in 1941. On November 28, 1942 in Fort Riley, Kansas, with the country at war, she was united in marriage to Gaius P. Masten. Mabel supported homefront war efforts by working in a large bakery in Michigan during his Philippines Tour.
Following the war, Mabel learned to professionally decorate cakes at the Wilton School in Omaha, Nebraska. Together, Gauis and Mabel owned and operated Saundra’s Bakery from 1949-1977 and made their home in Herington, Kansas. She took great pride in all the cakes she decorated and is remembered by many as the person who decorated a cake for their special life events. Mabel considered two cakes especially challenging - A Rock Island Anniversary Cake made to serve 1400 people and a cake made to replicate the First National Bank Building in Herington. Mabel made and decorated her last wedding cake for the marriage of her granddaughter in 2004, at the age of 83.
When the bakery closed, Mabel remained active as a homemaker and loved taking care of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Herington for many years, and served as Sunday School teacher and Youth Leader. Her home always had an open door and she thoroughly enjoyed visits from family and friends. Mabel loved gifts of chocolate, word search books, puzzles, and always enjoyed being treated to Pizza Hut.
Mabel believed in the power of prayer and God’s promise in Hebrews 13:5: “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee” and loved the song “Because He Lives, I Can Face Tomorrow”. Mabel had a kind and compassionate spirit and blessed others with her positive outlook on life. At the age of 99, Mabel moved to Marion Assisted Living and often told those caring for her “I love you so much, you are so kind, you are so beautiful, you are so special.” She rarely focused on negativity and throughout the storms of life taught us to cling tightly to our faith.
Mabel was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and siblings: Carl, Reynold, Walter, Harold, Edwin, Emma, Martha, Esther, and Anna. She is survived by daughters, Saundra (Ed) Hartl of Calhan, CO and Terry (Larry) Ryff of Hope, KS; her grandchildren, Brandon Ryff of Kansas City, KS, and Kimberly (Kelvin) Kroupa of Marion, KS; her great-grandchildren Karsen Kroupa and Kole Kroupa, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Friday June 27, 2025 from 9-10 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Herington. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the church following visitation. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to First Baptist Church, Herington, Kansas.
Please sign her online guestbook and leave a memory of Mabel at www.yazelmeglifh.com.