Mabel Caroline Hockett

Mabel Caroline Hockett was born in Loring, Mont., on December 22, 1932 to parents Andrew and Bertha Flansaas, who emigrated from Norway.

Mabel was a sophomore when the Loring High School closed. Rather than board in Malta, the family decided to send Mabel to the east coast to live with her sister Anna (Ed) Berdahl, where she helped take care of Anna's children. Mabel made the trip by train from Malta, Montana to Philadelphia by herself at the age of 13. During the two years Mabel stayed with Anna she attended high school in Chevy Chase, Maryland and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

After graduating...