On May 28, 1918 in Shakopee, MN, John Henry and Philomena “Minnie” (Thiede) Ablen were the proud parents of Marie Agnes. She was the first of the Abeln triplets born, and then came Philamine and finally John. They marked a milestone for the City of Shakopee as the first set of triplets born. Growing up in the big red house across from St. Mark’s Church, Marie has many fond memories living there with her siblings. She attended school through the eighth grade.
For most of working years Marie cleaned homes and maintain the yards for several families in Shakopee. She also helped her mother with the family home as well. She was excellent with children, especially her nieces and nephews and loved being around them
In her earlier years, Marie loved to find treasures at area garage sales, playing bingo at St. Marks Church and at Levee Drive apartments and watching games shows, especially Wheel of Fortune, the Prize is Right and American Funniest Home Videos. In her later years, she enjoyed listening to Polka music show at noon, working in the word search books and playing cards. At the age of 92, Marie was entertained watching Monday Night Raw Wrestling.
As a little girl and well into their twenties, Marie and Phil always dressed alike. This classy style was her foundation throughout her life. Marie loved clothes and jewelry. Dressing in finest clothes and accessorizing with jewelry, Marie always match from head to toe. For the past two and half years, Marie has lived with her niece, Monica, where her weekly chore was folding towels for Monica’s Beauty Shop. She took great pride in folding them precisely.
A life-long resident of Shakopee and age 93, Marie, the last of the triplets to pass, entered God’s arms the mid-morning on Sunday, October 2, 2011 at her niece’s home in Shakopee.
Marie will always be loved and missed deeply by her nieces and nephews, Donald Schultz, Mary Hallich, Kathleen Siler, Anita (Tom) Roeser, Monica (Delton) Giese, Elise (Les) Guthrie, Peter Schultz, Joe Schultz, Donna (Kenny) Theis, Charlie (Lil) Abeln and many, many great and great-great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by two very special and dear caregivers, Mary Danner and Chris Thon; and hospice caregivers, Ann, Tamra, Deanna and Chaplain Tanya. Marie is preceded in death by her parents, John and Minnie; sister, Elizabeth (Don) Schultz; triplet brother, John (Marge) Abeln; triplet sister, Philamine “Phil” (Kerney) Hennen; infant brother, Peter Abeln; niece, Phyllis Schultz, grand-nephew, John Abeln, Larry Theis, and Scott Hallich.
Pall bearers for Marie will be Peter Schultz, Charles Abeln, Kenny Theis, Thomas Roeser, Delton Giese and Darren Giese. Honorary pall bearers will be her caregivers, Mary Danner and Chris Thon
The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, October 6 at 10:30 a.m., with visitation one hour prior all at the Church of St. Mark 350 Atwood Street, Shakopee. Father Tom Boedy will officiate. Marie will be laid to rest next to her parents at the Catholic Cemetery in Shakopee.
The Ablen family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Shakopee, MN Chapel www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
