Mabel Irene Owens Crites was born to John Franklin Owens and Cindella Andrews Owens on April 15, 1911 in Cheyenne County, Kansas. She was the 11th child of a family of 13 children. Mabel departed this life on February 23, 2007 at the Lincoln Community Hospital in Hugo, Colorado.


Mabel married Harley Crites in 1931. To this union was born one daughter, Wilma Jean Crites Bailey. Mabel was recieved into God's family on December 11, 1955. This was also the day of confirmation of her faith in Christ at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Wild Horse, Colorado. Mabel grew up on a farm in Cheyenne County, Kansas and attended the public school there. After she married Harley, they lived on a farm in Yuma County, Colorado, 3 miles north of Hale, Colorado except for 2 years that they lived in Washington state. In 1940 they moved back to Yuma County and lived there until1947. They bought a farm northwest of WildHorse and lived there until 1973. Mabel worked part time at the Wild Horse Post Office. They sold their farm and moved to Kit Carson, CO. While living in Kit Carson she attended the Trinity Lutheran Church and volunteered at the Kit Carson Museum. Mabel moved to Hugo, CO in 2001 to live with her daughter Wilma Bailey. She attended the United Methodist Church in Hugo.


Mabel is survived by her daughter Wilma Jean Bailey of Hugo, 6 grandaughters: Irene (Laverne) Jenkins of Campo, CO, Bonnie (Park) Wood of Lamar, CO, Connie (Monty) Mattson of Hugo, CO, Cathy Bailey (Wes Earles) of Cheyenne, WY, Karen (Lloyd) Beck of Burlington, CO and Betty Bailey (Kelly Lammert) of Hugo, CO. One grandson: Alfred Raymond (Sandie) Bailey of Bennett, CO, an assumed grandson Jet Bailey, 15 great grandchildren, 11 great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.


She was preceded in death by her parents John and Della Owens; husband Harley Crites; son-in-law Alfred Bailey; grandson Lonnie Bailey; eight brothers Rollie, Carroll, Wilbur, Lem, Herman, Harry, Charlie, and Elzie (Bill or Shorty). Four Sisters Roma, Reeta, Elsie, and Geneva.


Funeral services were held on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Hugo, Colorado. Internment followed at the Evergreen Cemetery in Hugo. Visitation was held from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.


Memorial contributions may be made to the Hugo United Methodist Church or the Lincoln County Hospice.