Mabel G. Grotta was born September 9, 1904, at Volga, South Dakota, the daughter of Ole and Christine (Mettet) Grotta.

In 1908, at the age of 4, she moved with her family to a homestead in the northeast corner of Haakon County near the Deep Creek community.  She grew up there and received her elementary education in rural schools prior to graduating from Pierre High School.  After obtaining her teaching certificate she taught rural schools in Haakon County.

Mabel was united in marriage to Patrick H. Patton on June 11, 1927, at Midland, South Dakota.

They farmed and ranched in northern Haakon County until 1945 when they purchased a farm northeast of Philip.  After her husband's death on May 21, 1948, Mabel and her son, John, operated the farm until she retired in the early 1960s, but she continued to reside on the farm until moving into Philip in the late 1960s.

While in Philip she was active with the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital Auxiliary's daily rummage sale.  She enjoyed making quilts, which she gave to many family members and friends.

Because of health reasons she moved into the Philip Nursing Home in August of 1996.

Mabel was a member of the First Lutheran Church and the Bad River Senior Citizens Center, borth of Philip.

Grateful for having shared her life are her three sons and their wives, John and Dorothy Patton of Hot Springs, Philip and Marty Patton of Organge City, Iowa, and Bill and Lois Patton of Missoula, Montana; three daughters, Thelma Heltzel and her husband, Jim, of Philip, Patty Fonseca of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and Kathy Pfeifle and her husband, Ray, of Philip; 25 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband, Patrick, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Irene Stoeser; a son, Robert Patton; two grandsons, Patrick Heltzel and Mark Pfeifle; a granddaughter, Linda Stoeser; her parents; and two sisters, Sophia M. Marrington and Olga Patton.

A memorial has been established.

Services
Saturday, June 7, 1997
2:00 p.m.
First Lutheran Church
Philip, South Dakota

Officiating
Pastor Donald Lagge

Music
Marilyn Millage - Organist
Elvera Moos - Vocalist

Ushers
Mike West - Darral Brooks

Active Pallbearers
All the Grandchildren

Honorary Pallbearers
All relatives and friends in attendance

Interment
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota