Global Ministries is saddened to learn of the death of Mabel Alice Christofersen

Mabel Alice Christofersen
November 16, 1921 – June 15, 2015

Mabel Alice Christofersen was born of missionaries Arthur Fridtjof and Julia Marie Rau Christofersen, serving with the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM), a predecessor mission body of Global Ministries, at Ifafa Mission, Natal, South Africa.  Mabel was their third child, having been preceded by sisters June Rose and Beatrice Ruth.  She was home-schooled by her mother, except when the family was on furlough in the U.S., until she entered high school in Naperville, Illinois.  After graduating from Naperville High School she attended North Central Collage, also in Naperville.  She graduated from North Central College with a degree in Home Economics. 

After graduation, Mabel returned to South Africa and taught Home Economics for a number of years at Inanda Seminary, a secondary-level boarding school for girls, that today is affiliated with the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA).  After teaching at Inanda for approximately 20 years, Mabel taught at another private secondary school for girls.  She then spent a number of years working at the Durban YWCA where she was very active in the recycling program.  In retirement, Mabel continued her interest and activity in recycling.  She was active in the Berea Road Congregational Church in Durban, South Africa.  After living in a private apartment in retirement for some years, she moved into Essenwood Retirement Home in Durban where she lived happily for her final years. 

Over the years Mabel traveled several times to the U.S. to visit with family and friends.  The last time she did so was in May of 2015 to help celebrate her brother Arthur’s, 90th birthday.  Shortly after she returned to South Africa, her family was shocked to hear that she had passed away after a short illness. 

Mabel was preceded in death by her sister, June Rose Christofersen Dahle. She is survived by her brothers, Arthur Christofersen of Reedsburg, WI and Howard Christofersen of Porter, IN; and a sister, Beatrice Christofersen McLaskey, LaConner, WA.  

Memorial gifts may be sent to Global Ministries, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland Ohio 44115.  These gifts will be directed to a scholarship fund at Inanda Seminary named in Mabel’s honor.  Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Reverend Arthur Christofersen, E10090 Buckhorn Road, Reedsburg, WI 53959-9628.